Monkey Mayhem by Bindi Irwin Page B

know where they’ve gone, Indigo?’ he asked.
    Terri looked at Robert. ‘Mr Indigo, Robert,’ she corrected.
    â€˜Hmmm,’ answered Robert, watching the moustache and not liking it one little bit.
    â€˜The locals in this area are rather superstitious. They have many customs that mean they can be unreliable. I tend to use French staff at my hotels.’
    Terri looked surprised. ‘Well, from what Susan told me, she is very happy with the staff here. She said they’re wonderful and are teaching her and her husband about the country and its incredible flora and fauna.’
    â€˜Interesting,’ Mr Indigo replied with an eyebrow raised. ‘Here is my business card. Please know I wouldbe happy to take your guests to the Tropicale Deluxe if there are any problems here.’
    Terri shook her head. ‘That is very kind, Mr Indigo, but I’m sure we’ll be fine. We’ll go down to the local village and find out what’s happened.’
    â€˜ Au revoir and good luck!’ He went to give Terri a kiss on both cheeks, but Robert jumped between the adults and waved the Frenchman away, as though he was swatting a pesky fly.

    After a delicious fresh fruit salad for breakfast, the Irwins made their way down a dusty road towards the local village. The group of tourists were scheduled to arrive later that night, and without staff, the family would have quite a job on their hands.
    The local Malagasy people spoke their own dialect and a little French, but no English. While Terri went to talk to some local women, Bindi and Robert attempted to communicate with a small group of Malagasy children, who tried their best to understand what the Irwins were saying.
    One child, who introduced himself as Berriman, nodded as Binditold them about the ecolodge being empty. He pointed to one of his hands, then pointed to his middle finger and raised it to his face, looking menacing. The other children all shivered with fright, nodding in agreement.
    Bindi knew a bit about lemurs, and the aye-aye, a nocturnal lemur, was known for having a very long middle finger. That must be what the child was trying to show her.
    She nodded at the group of kids. ‘Is there an aye-aye in the village?’ she asked enthusiastically.
    The children all squealed hysterically and ran away.
    Robert turned to his sister.‘You’re usually beaut at making new friends, B.’
    â€˜Not this time,’ Bindi answered, bewildered.

Terri had no luck with the villagers either, so back at the ecolodge, the family started preparing for the guests’ arrival. Robert had spotted a Parson’s chameleon on the walk home, and was desperate to try to find more of the species Madagascarhad to offer. Instead, he was put to work sweeping out the guestrooms. He was not a happy little Wildlife Warrior.
    Terri was busy in the kitchen, trying to work out what she could possibly cook for her visitors when Bindi appeared in the doorway, followed closely by a teenage Malagasy girl.
    â€˜Guess what, Mum? Sylvie’s come to help us with the meals for the visitors.’
    Sylvie spoke quietly, in English. ‘I sometimes help with the cooking here when I’m not studying.’
    Terri breathed a sigh of relief. It was one thing to cook for her ownkids in her own kitchen. It was quite another thing to cater for twenty guests at an ecolodge in a remote part of Madagascar!
    Sylvie set to work, with Bindi helping out. Sylvie had two large raffia bags filled with fresh vegetables and fruit, and within a few minutes delectable smells were coming from the kitchen. The two girls chatted as they worked.
    â€˜Sylvie, when I mentioned the aye-aye, the children in the village ran away,’ said Bindi. ‘Did I say something wrong?’
    Sylvie smiled. ‘Ah no, Bindi, it is not you. It is the children and their parents. Madagascar has a lot ofsuperstitions, and fear of the aye-aye is one of the most