Page 7 - My FlipBook

“Hmm,” said Cham deep in thought. “You are probably right. From now on I vow to be a vegetarian.”
“I like that,” said San.
“Come on, I think there are berry trees just around that bend up ahead. Let the exploring begin,” he said
smiling.

They walked for quite some time before they reached the berry plants, but San didn’t mind he was getting
comfortable with the outside world. Cham acted as a guide: naming trees, plants and animals as they
passed. Everything that came into sight was new to him and he couldn’t stop smiling.
While Cham stuffed his face with berries, San climbed the closest rock – it provided a lookout and he
could see the land stretch out before him.
“Some do not see the beauty of the Karoo,” said Cham as he wiped his mouth.
“I am fascinated by it; but why is it called the Karoo?” he asked.
“The Khoi Khoi was a human tribe that previous lived here and the word Karoo came from them.
It literally means desert or dry,” said Cham.

“So we live in a semi desert?” asked San.
“Yes and it can become quite unpleasant at times. We experience extreme heat in summer and frosts in
winter. This is the place for survivors,” said Cham proudly.
“Maybe I should go back to my cave then,” said San.
“Now just a minute, I haven’t finished yet. All that find themselves here are meant to be here.
We were made for the Karoo. Do you see that fynbos there?” he asked, pointing to some bushes in the
distance.
“Yes,” said San looking at the unusual mixture of shrubs.
“It would not thrive as well anywhere else in the world, because it needs this climate to survive.
But enough with the talking, we better get moving as we still have a stretch of road to cover,” Cham said.
Well there is no point in turning back now, thought San and followed Cham in silence.

“Look,” said San.
“What?” replied Cham, disinterested.
“It’s a rolling ball,” he answered.
Cham stopped and turned around to have a look.
“Oh please, that’s nothing,” he replied, “it’s only a dung beetle.”
“And what is that?” asked San intrigued.