Rago and Goni, the Tree-Dweller Children

CHAPTER II THE RACE

“Help me weave the slender branches of this cedar tree together, Rago,” said his mother. “Then I can put baby upon them and we can find something to eat for breakfast.”

“Yes, I am very hungry and thirsty,” said Goni.

So Rago and his mother worked quickly and soon had a fine strong bed woven.

Then mother laid baby sister upon it.“Let us look to see that there are no tigers nor lions below,” said their mother. “It would not be safe to climb down if there were.”

They looked carefully in all directions.

“See!” said Goni, “there are some wild horses, eating on the grassy plain beyond the forest.”

“See that huge cave bear just going into his cave,” cried Rago.

“He certainly does look fierce,” said Goni.

“I suppose he will sleep all day,” said Rago.

“Let us climb down,” said Goni.“Come,” said Rago, “I am ready.”

“Do not go far, children,” said their mother, “for it is still very early and there are wild beasts about.”

“I must stay near by, to watch baby sister.”“All right, mother,” said the children as they climbed down the tree.

“Let us go to the river for a drink of cool water,” said Goni.

“Come along,” said Rago, “but be careful and look sharply.”

So the brother and sister ran along very swiftly toward the river.

Suddenly they stopped. “I hear sounds,” whispered Rago.

“Listen, Goni! Where do the sounds come from?”

“They seem to come from the thicket close by.”

“Quickly, Goni, climb this tree!”

“See that pack of hyenas! They are stealing down to their cave.”“How their cowardly eyes gleam!”

“It is well you heard them in the thicket, Rago,” said Goni.

“I wonder if my ears and eyes will ever be as sharp as yours, so that I may know when the wild beasts are near?” said Goni.“Oh, yes,” said Rago, “when you are a little older you will hear sounds just as I do, Goni.”

“Let us run a race to the river in the trees,” said Rago.

“Ready, go!” and the brother and sister swung lightly from branch to branch until they reached the river.

“Hurry, Goni, hurry or I shall get there first,” called Rago.

“I’m coming, Rago,” answered Goni.

“I will wait for you, Goni,” called Rago as he reached the river first.

They waited and listened a moment in the trees, then they dropped lightly to the ground and ran to the water’s edge.

Quickly they dipped up the water with their hands and drank all they wanted.

“Now let us go back to mother and baby sister,” said Goni.

“We can gather some nuts and berries on the way,” said Rago.

“Let us take the trail back.”

So the brother and sister started back. They listened and looked as they ran.

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