Looking Back Detail Page

01 Apr

- Saul Ezra
Class of ‘57 - Written when in Std VI

"Solomon! Where’s Solomon", said Soli, a member of a large group camping around a bonfire deep in the heart of a South African forest. "He went exploring before lunch and hasn't returned yet" was the reply. One could discern a note of distress in the voice, "Never mind he will return in time", said someone; hope¬ful words, but spoken in vain. There was still no sign of Solomon anywhere. That night Soli, try as he would, could not sleep. He twisted and turned in his bunk and kept asking himself where Solomon was. In the end he got up and went to Solomon's bunk and took out his bag. He fumbled in it till he took out a scrap of paper. On the paper was written' MEET ME AT ROBBERS' CAVE WHERE I WILL TELL YOU A SECRET CONCERNING YOURSELF-A FRIEND. An excited Soli donned his clothes and set out. He groped his way in the darkness, stumbling on some creepers which were in his way and it seemed ages till he reached Robbers' Cave. The eeriness of the place frightened him. Normally Soli would have let his imagi¬nation run riot but on this occasion he was too excited. Near Robbers Cave Soli spied a lighted tumbled down shack. Soli sped to it cautiously under the sha¬dows, and pressed his face against the bars. Then he stifled a gasp, for there, bound and gagged, was Solomon. "Solo¬mon", breathed Soli, as he silently un¬bolted the door. He ran to Solomon and cut his bonds. Solomon stretched out his cramped limbs and, between sobs, pour¬ed out his story.
It seemed a traitor in the camp persuaded him to come to Robbers' Cave, and then locked him up in the shack, telling him that he would not set him free until his parents paid a ransom. Soli listened in breathless silence, then grabbed Solo man's hand and ran to the camp where they reported the whole incident. Solomon's abductor was immediately put under arrest and Soli received £1/¬for his brave act of rescue. He. was also publicly praised for his bravery which caused our hero much embarrassment for, besides being courageous Soli was also very modest. Soli generously shared his money with Solomon. "Don't you think we had an adventurous holiday'?" cried he, "Yes and thank goodness all’s well that ends well” signed Solomon with relief.