The (True) Adventures of Mudpoo (4 page)

“That's the bathroom,” Liz laughed.

“He might go in there,” said Mudpoo trying not to sound worried.

“As long as he cleans up after himself he's very welcome,” smiled Liz.

“Let's go upstairs and have fruit salad for lunch,” said Captain Pete, whose tummy was starting to rumble almost as loud as George.

“Before you eat, wash your hands,” said Liz.

In the bathroom Captain Pete, Harry and Mudpoo carefully kept one eye out for the green tree snake, just in case.

L
iz's garden was almost like most gardens.

It had plenty of trees and bushes and even a little pond with goldfish. Two goldfish peered up through the lilies hoping that they wouldn't be spotted.

Mudpoo said to Harry, “Look over there!”

Harry raced over to where Mudpoo was pointing,

“It's a secret path,” exclaimed Harry.

Mudpoo and Harry ran up the stairs to ask Liz where the path went.

“You know, I've never been down that path,” said Liz. Then she said, “Excuse me, I have to answer the phone.”

"A secret path,"
said Harry.

“Let's go and explore it,” said Mudpoo.

“I'd better come along,” said Captain Pete.

They were cautious as the path led into

a rainforest. Mudpoo and Harry were

wearing hats and long sleeves. Captain

Pete was so excited he forgot his hat.

“Where does the path go?” whispered Mudpoo a little concerned that strange and fearsome creatures could be lurking in the shadows. The further they walked the thicker the rainforest became. Small forest bugs, spiders and vines became tangled in Captain Pete's hair.

Harry looked a little concerned, “Do you think we're lost?” he asked.

Everyone remained calm, as it's not easy to get lost in a friend's backyard.

Mudpoo rubbed his chin and looked very thoughtful.

“I know, maybe we're on the wrong path and we need to follow a different path?” he suggested.

After a minute of thinking Mudpoo boldly walked in a different direction.

Harry and Captain Pete looked at each other, shrugged their shoulders and followed.

“Look!” cried Mudpoo, “there's something over there!”

Everyone rushed to see what it was.

“What is it?” asked Harry.

“It's an old Hill's Hoist clothes line covered in jungle vines,” said Captain Pete in surprise. “It hasn't been used for years.”

“Hmmm, a clothes line is never too far from the house,” said Mudpoo thoughtfully.

“So we're not lost anymore?” enquired Harry.

“Hooray, I can see daylight,” shouted Mudpoo, as the safety of Liz's backyard appeared.

“What an adventure!” exclaimed Mudpoo.

“That's enough adventures for today,” said Harry. Captain Pete didn't say a word; he was busily shaking the spiders, bugs and forest litter from his hair, as he was the only one who hadn't worn a hat.

They climbed up the stairs again, looking a little exhausted. Liz had just put down the phone when they walked in.

“You know,” said Liz, "it's a bit of a jungle behind my garden. I woud be careful if you go in there.

Harry, Mudpoo and Captain Pete glanced knowingly at each other; they knew she was right.

L
ook, all the water has gone,” said Harry.

Mudpoo, Harry, Liz and Captain Pete were looking over Hervey Bay. The tide was out. Where the sea had been was now a very large area of sand.

"Let's go for a walk to the water"
said Captain Pete. Everyone had a beach towel and a hat. Captain Pete had a backpack that held some drinks, food and a bottle of sunscreen.

“There are so many holes in the sand,” said Mudpoo.

“They're all made by crabs,” said Captain Pete.

“There's one,” said Harry.

Everyone watched as the little crab scurried from side to side; it quickly disappeared down a little hole.

There was no dry sand, just soft, wet, muddy sand that would squeeze between your toes if you stood in one place for too long. When they reached the sea, Liz put down her thongs and so did everyone else. They carefully placed their towels and thongs on the soft muddy sand.

“Let's go for a walk,” said Mudpoo.

“Great idea,” said Harry.

“Look over there,” said Captain Pete. “It's a blow fish.”

The little fish had seen Harry and Mudpoo and made himself the size of a small balloon. The little fish looked like a small ball as he bobbed
up and down
.

“We'd better leave him alone; he looks scared,” said Liz.

Captain Pete felt wonderful walking along the water's edge, feeling the mud ooze between his toes and feeling the fresh sea breeze on his face. As Captain Pete looked back at the bay he thought something looked a bit odd.

“Lets head back to our beach towels,” he said.

“Where are our towels?” said Liz looking at the spot in the distance where she thought they were. “I'm sure they were over there?”

Captain Pete strained his eyes to see.

“The only thing I can see is water; the tide is coming in!” said Liz.

"Quick everyone, we've got to save our things!"
said Captain Pete.

Everyone ran to where they had last seen the beach towels. The only thing they could see was water.

“Look over there!” shouted Harry excitedly. “It's my beach towel.”

They all looked to where Harry was pointing and sure enough there was Harry's towel half floating and half sinking in the water. Captain Pete rolled up his trouser legs and waded out up to his knees. He rescued Harry's towel.

“Over there!” shouted Mudpoo. “It's my thong!”

Bobbing up and down in the water was Mudpoo's favourite thong. Soon Captain Pete had collected a thong belonging to Liz and a big thong that was his. He found another three very soggy beach towels that were very, very heavy. He collected another thong belonging to Liz and then found another big thong.

“Now there's only one thong missing,” said Captain Pete.

“It's my thong and I can see it!” shouted Mudpoo. Bobbing up and down in the distance like a little boat was Mudpoo's thong.