It was the first day of the school holidays..........some orang asli guides were already on their way up the hill!

It was the first day of the school holidays. Vincent and Andrew planned to climb Bukit Duku. They began their climb at 7 a.m. They were surprised that the climb was difficult even when they started from the bottom of the hill. Vincent walked into a rattan vine which had thorns on it and he did not like this at all. His palms became bloody and his shirt tore. Andrew laughed, to Vincent's annoyance.

The slope became steeper. It was also a very hot day. While they were complaining about the heat, they heard loud rumbles of thunder. Suddenly it started to rain. The boys had forgotten to bring their raincoats and soon even their shoes were wet. Andrew slipped and fell a few meters down a slope. It was Vincent's turn to laugh.

Soon they were both not laughing. They could not see the trail they were supposed to follow. They came to a fork in the trail. Vincent suggested they take the left turning. As they climbed, the trail became more and more narrow. The expected to reach the half-way hut after two hours of climbing, but after three hours they still hadn't found anything. The boys knew they were in grave trouble.

They felt miserable. Their sandwiches were wet so they had nothing to eat. They were tired. Andrew wanted to rest but Vincent insisted they continue to search for the hut. Both boys knew they were lost. How bad could it get? They were uncomfortable, hungry and thirsty.

After what seemed like hours, the rain stopped. It began to get dark. They knew they were hopelessly lost. They did not hear birds or even insects.

When it grew really dark, Andrew started to cry. Both boys knew their parents would be worried. They had promised to be home before dark.

'Don't worry, said Vincent. `They will look for us. This is not a mountain, its just a small hill'. Meanwhile, mosquitoes and leeches were feasting on their blood.

'Lets use my mobile phone to call home. I wrapped my phone in a plastic bag. I'm sure it's dry. I only hope I can get through,' said Andrew.

The boys were hopeful. They each said a silent prayer. Andrew dialed the number 

and to their great joy, Andrew's father responded. Their worried parents had already called the police and the police and some orang asli guides were already on their way up the hill!

Summary: Vincent and Andrew climbed up a hill. The climb was not easy. Vincent hurt his hand. The slope was steep and it was a hot day. Then it started to rain and Andrew slipped and fell. They took a wrong turning and lost their way. They were tired, hungry and wet. They were aiming for a half-way hut but did not find it. It grew dark and soon mosquitoes and leeches bothered them. The boys had promised their parents to be home before dark. Fortunately, Andrew had his handphone wrapped in a plastic bag. He called home and his father answered. Help was already on the way.