The Legend of the Peacock Throne

Book excerpt: Written in South Africa. Three cousins, Julia, Jessica and Jarred, all living in various parts of southern Africa spend a July holiday together in the Drakensberg. They befriend a little girl named Dudu who introduces them to her family and village. This is where they first encounter the legend of the Peacock Throne, which was, according to Zulu legend, taken by king Chaka's impis and hidden somewhere in the mountains. The legend also claims that the person who finds the throne will die before he or she can tell anyone about it, unless born of the house of Chaka. When it's realised that Julia and Dudu are both descended from the Chaka clan, that is all the inspiration they need to search for the throne. Although an adventure story with all the exciting elements required of a really good children's tale, viz, mystery, danger, cameraderie and a satisfactory ending, it is also a tale that deals with many issues faced by modern children.