Liz’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.