The Maselloane Rattle

In an attempt to steal the magic rattle of the African Zunu tribe, a young girl, Tembo, is kidnapped. While fear spreads among the local citizens, one young boy, Jonathan, attempts to rescue his friend with the help of his Father and her Grandfather. Held captive in the Circle of White stones and guarded by a cobra, can Jonathan and his animal friends come to Tembo's rescue? This is an adventure tale for children and the young at heart!

The Maselloane Rattle is the opening tale, in a series of stories, called Tales from The Masawani Game Park. In this story we meet Kimaro, the medicine man, or Sangoma, of a village named Molelo. Kimaro was educated in the family tradition of a Sangoma's by his father and grandfather. Kimaro is aging, and feels it is time to find a successor to follow in his practice. He goes to the sacred Circle of White Stones, which is situated in the Masawani Game Park. The park borders on the village boundaries. Here, Kimaro meditates and asks if the Spirits of the Ancients would please come forth to him, and help him identify who the next Sangoma will be. The spirits appear to him the next evening and tell him that two children are to be born within the year. The first will be a the son of the Game Warden. The second will be his grand-daughter. Each child will be born with a special talent which will aid them in dealing with the trials and tribulations of life. The children are duly born and the boy is named Jonathan, while Kimaro’s grand daughter, is named Tembo. Kimaro inquires about the abilities of the children; and is told that the male child will have the ability to communicate with the animals. His grand-daughter will follow in his footsteps and become the next Sangoma of the Zunu tribe. Not only will she understand the language of the Maselloane Rattle, she will also be able to speak many of the languages of the human race. Together these children will bring about changes that will help preserve and protect the planet and the animals which live on it. The first adventure begins in ‘The Maselloane Rattle,’ when Tembo is captured by a local gang of thieves. They are hoping that by capturing the little girl, that they will be able to exchange her for the Zunu Tribes magical rattle. This rattle is endowed with the powers to warn the tribes Sangoma, when the tribe is in danger. However the ‘voice’ of the rattle is only understood by present and future Sangomas. In the attempt to rescue his friend Tembo, Jonathan calls upon his animal friends to help. The animals willing step forward, even though they may face adversity like, an encounter with an angry cobra poised to strike! The story describes the dangers of going into the African bush and an endearing friendship between the two main characters.

Gael Whelan, a mother of two, has used story telling, both in her work and in raising her family. These stories have been influenced by the many people and cultures she encountered on her world travels. She has decided to share these stories with a broader audience, and hopes you will enjoy them.