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In the sunny backyard beside the garden gate, open suitcases spill swimsuits and toys on the grass. Phoebe kneels zipping a case while Fliss points, and tiny Takalaka pokes his stick head from the luggage with a mischievous grin.
Phoebe and Fliss packed their bags with care, swimsuits and sunhats, toys to share. They zipped their cases by the garden gates. But sneaky Takalaka, stick-thin and small, crept in the suitcase when no one saw at all. 'I'm coming too!' he whispered with glee, 'To South Africa across the sea!' The girls giggled and winked at their friend, ready for adventures without end.
Outside Uncle Jono's white villa with a glittering noon-lite. Takalaka peeks from Phoebe's open backpack like a waving stick flag, unseen by the adults.
The plane touched down in sunny South Africa bright, Uncle Jono waved and hugged them tight. 'Welcome, my darlings!' he said with a smile, 'We'll have such fun, stay for a while!' His house was big with a sparkling pool, the water looked lovely, clear and cool. Takalaka peeked out from Phoebe's bag, waving his stick arms like a tiny flag. The holiday magic had just begun!
Inside the shady outdoor viewing hide at midday, Phoebe and Fliss lean on the wooden railing, eyes wide toward a lounging lion and spotted leopard beyond the fence. Takalaka hangs upside-down from the rail, pulling silly faces.
Off to see big cats, oh what a treat! Lions and leopards they'd get to meet. White tigers prowled with stripes so bold, black leopards' spots were sight to behold. 'Look at their paws!' said little Fliss, Phoebe watched each cat with total bliss. Takalaka jumped and made funny faces, making the girls laugh in all the places. The big cats yawned and stretched so wide, adventure sparkled in the girls' eyes.
In the bright afternoon light beside the backyard pool, Phoebe is captured mid-air shouting 'Cannonball!' over the blue water while Takalaka belly-flops below, splash frozen around his stick limbs. Uncle Jono laughs from a deck chair, towel in hand.
Back at the house, the pool called their names, time for water and splashing games! 'Cannonball!' shouted Phoebe with cheer, jumping high as Fliss came near. SPLASH went the water, flying so high! Uncle Jono laughed at the fountain in the sky. Takalaka belly-flopped with stick arms wide, making the biggest splash poolside! They played for hours in water so blue, the best pool day they ever knew.
On sun-drenched Boulders Beach, Phoebe and Fliss crouch near the shoreline watching a cluster of waddling penguins, footprints dotted in wet sand. Beside them, Takalaka mimics the birds, stick arms outstretched and beak-like grin, cold foam licking their toes.
Boulders Beach had a big surprise, penguins waddling before their eyes! Black and white birds by the shore, Fliss had never seen them before. They swam in the sea, so brave and free, penguins diving gracefully. Takalaka tried to waddle too, copying everything penguins do! 'They're so cute!' the sisters cried, watching penguins slip and slide. The cold water splashed their toes, sunshine warmed their button nose.
Beside the small wooden shed at Boulders Beach, afternoon sun slants across Uncle Jono patting his bare head in puzzlement. Phoebe points toward giggling Takalaka who dangles Uncle Jono's straw hat high above with his twiggy arms.
At the penguin beach, Takalaka played a trick, he hid Uncle Jono's hat real quick! 'Where's my hat?' Uncle scratched his head, while Takalaka giggled from the shed. Phoebe spotted him with a knowing look, 'Takalaka, give back what you took!' He returned the hat with stick arms high, making everyone laugh and sigh. 'That silly friend!' said Fliss with glee, 'He's naughty as can be!'
On the garden patio glowing with orange sunset, Fliss twirls in a homemade skirt while Phoebe sings into a wooden spoon microphone. Takalaka sits on an upturned bucket, stick arms drumming, fairy lights beginning to sparkle overhead.
Evening came with colors gold and red, the sun was going to bed. 'Let's do a show!' said Phoebe bright, they'd perform as day turned night. Fliss danced and twirled around and round, Phoebe sang without a sound... no, wait, she sang so clear and sweet! Takalaka drummed a stick-arm beat. Uncle Jono clapped with pride so warm, the girls took bows in perfect form. The sunset show was quite the sight!
Under blazing midday sun on the wide beach, Phoebe carefully places a spiral shell atop a tall sandcastle tower as Fliss digs a moat beside her. Takalaka stands planted like a stick flagpole on the castle's peak, arms waving.
Beach day arrived with buckets and spades, building castles in the sunny glades. Phoebe made towers reaching high, Fliss dug moats as waves rolled by. Takalaka stuck himself in the sand, like a flagpole, wasn't it grand? They decorated shells all around, the prettiest castle that could be found. 'Our kingdom!' shouted both girls with pride, as foamy waves came with the tide. The castle stood so tall and true, beneath the sky so big and blue.
In the bright afternoon surf, Phoebe and Fliss leap hand-in-hand above a foamy incoming wave, droplets sparkling mid-air. Slightly behind, Takalaka tumbles head-over-heels on a collapsing crest, stick limbs flailing against the turquoise water.
Waves rolled in, one, two, three! 'Let's jump them!' shouted Fliss with glee. Phoebe held her sister's hand so tight, they jumped together with all their might. WHOOSH went the waves beneath their feet, jumping waves was such a treat! Takalaka rode a wave so tall, but tumbled over in a silly fall. The girls laughed and jumped some more, playing games along the shore.
At a beach picnic table beneath fading daylight, Uncle Jono hands dripping ice-cream cones to delighted Phoebe and Fliss, seashell piles gleaming beside their sand-dusted feet and gentle waves behind them.
They found seashells, pink and white, smooth pebbles sparkling in the light. Built more castles, big and small, Takalaka helped with one and all. They splashed and played from morning to night, their holiday was pure delight. Uncle Jono brought them treats to eat, ice cream cones, so cold and sweet. 'This is the best!' said Phoebe true, Fliss agreed, 'I love it too!' Takalaka danced his stick-arm dance, South Africa was pure enchantment!
Inside the softly lit bedroom, Phoebe folds colorful shirts into an open suitcase on the bed while Fliss hugs her teddy bear beside her. Unnoticed, Takalaka peers wistfully from behind the half-closed closet door.
The holiday ended, time to pack and go, back to England where cold winds blow. Phoebe folded clothes with care, Fliss packed her teddy bear. But where was Takalaka, their friend so dear? They looked around both far and near. 'We must go now!' Uncle Jono said, they rushed to catch the plane ahead. The suitcase zipped, they waved goodbye, Takalaka watched them from nearby. Too late! He'd missed his chance to hide!
Inside the dimly lit airplane cabin at night, Phoebe gazes out the window toward distant stars while Fliss sits beside her clutching a blanket, the empty seat where Takalaka once rode highlighted by the overhead reading light.
On the plane flying through the air, Phoebe noticed Takalaka wasn't there. 'He didn't make it,' Fliss said with a frown, their stick friend stayed in that sunny town. But then they smiled and understood, Takalaka loved South Africa good. He'd stay and play in the sunshine bright, under African stars each night. 'He'll have adventures,' Phoebe said with cheer, 'Maybe we'll see him again next year!' And so their imaginary friend remained, where sunshine and adventures reigned.