A Friend in the Wild: Part 5

By MARIE GIBSON, Illustrator KELVIN HAWLEY

Peli still remembered the night his sister was born. It was eight summers ago, when he was six. At that time, they had lived with five other families, and Peli had had friends to play with. But a child who wasn't born perfect was bad luck.

"An evil omen," the women said as they stared down at the baby. They shook their heads and turned away. There wasn't the usual feasting and celebration for the birth. The other children were not allowed to come near the baby, nor were they allowed to play with Peli.

"It's a sign that there will be floods -- or maybe drought. The animals will disappear. The hunting will be poor. We will all suffer." The men muttered and shuffled their feet in the soft sand. One of them picked up his spear and tested its weight, glancing at the others through narrowed eyes.

Peli's mother was ready for them. She tucked the baby under a ledge at the back of the cave. "Get behind me, Peli."

Publisher: Shortland Publications, $10.10

Age group: 10-12 years