Chloe and Joey continued on their journey and after several hours they came across a small house in the middle of nowhere. It was made of wood and had vines growing all over it. Everything was still. They went up to the front door and Chloe knocked. Nobody stirred inside. She called out “Is anybody home?” No answer. It was quiet, very quiet.
She looked at the knob of the door and then at Joey “Shall we go in?” He nodded. She opened the door gingerly; it creaked. She peeped into all the rooms but nobody was home. She wondered if anyone lived here.
In the kitchen she noticed there was no fridge but she saw a cupboard. In the cupboard were a few jars of peanut butter and jam and some packets of biscuits and various cans of food. She was so hungry she couldn’t resist! She opened a packet of oatmeal biscuits first. Mmm! They were crunchy and sweet and tasted so good, especially since she hadn’t eaten for a whole day and night.
She wondered if it would be all right to take some food with her for the journey and leave some money her mother had given her, or whether she should wait until the people who lived here came back. First she wanted just one more biscuit.
Suddenly the door creaked open. She froze as she saw a big man walk in. He looked very surprised to see them. What an odd sight – a seven-year-old girl in his kitchen eating biscuits, with a small kangaroo standing next to her!
“Hello young lass! What are you doing here?”
“Er … sorry! I hope you don’t mind. I am so hungry. We have been walking for days and I ran out of food. I ate some of your biscuits …” she stammered.
“It’s all right young lass! I’ve got some more food. Look, I just went into town and bought some wholemeal bread. Would you like some toast and baked beans?”
“Yes, I would love some, thank you very much!” Chloe was relieved. “By the way, my name is Henry. What’s yours?”
“My name is Chloe and this is Joey.” “Good to meet you both,” smiled Henry.
Henry opened a can of baked beans and made four slices of toast and some mashed potato, Chloe’s favourite. She had never been so hungry in her whole life and couldn’t believe how much she ate. After dinner she told him about their plans and why they had come all the way from Australia to New Zealand in search of kiwis. Had he seen any kiwis in these parts?
“Of course” he said, “They are hard to find, but I know where they are. The local ranger often comes up here to check on them. He showed me where one family lives.
I can draw a map for you. It’s a long way though. Tonight you and Joey can sleep in the guest bedroom and in the morning I will walk with you half way there. On your way back you can stay with me again.”
“You are so kind. Thank you!” Chloe said. Joey carefully hopped over to the man and laid his paw on Henry’s hand. It was such a tender, endearing act that Henry wiped a tear from his eye. He had no idea an animal could be so gentle.
“Aren’t kangaroos the most special creatures you have ever met?” Chloe said, her big blue eyes gleaming. They both smiled.
“Sleep well,” Henry said as he headed off to his bedroom.
Chloe and Joey slept cuddled together, staying warm as they had the night before. It was quite cold, even in the house. Chloe whispered to Joey, “Tomorrow we will find that kiwi family Henry told us about and we will find the solution.”
Early in the morning Chloe awoke to the smell of porridge. She was hungry again! She opened her eyes and looked at the sleeping joey beside her. “Wake up, Joey” she whispered. He opened his eyes, stretched his arms and wrapped them around Chloe. What a loving animal he was!
At breakfast Henry drew a map for them. He warned them to be very careful as there were steep ravines that they could fall down. Chloe agreed to take special care and go slowly where it was dangerous.
After they reached the halfway point, he waved goodbye and wished them good luck.
Chloe and Joey walked further into the forest and out of sight. Henry wondered if he would ever see them again.