Dominic & Michael at the top of the Mountain
One day, while Noggin and Izzy were still in South Africa on a trip with Noggin's mummy, they met two brothers named Dominic, who is five, and Michael, who is two, who both live in South Africa in a place called Capetown. Noggin thought Capetown was the most beautiful place he had ever been (even though he is only two, and hasn't been that many places yet), because it has all the kind of places he likes best, including beaches and water to play in and mountains and lots of places to meet wild animals.
Since Dominic was in charge of the adventure that day, he decided that they should all go to the top of Table Mountain, so that Noggin and Izzy would be able to see all of Capetown from up high.
It was a long way up, and Noggin was a bit worried that it might be too far to climb, because his legs are not very long. "Don't worry," said Dominic, "we can ride up in a cable car."
So they all bought tickets and when the next cable car came, they got inside. The cable car was like a big glass room, that you could see out in every direction, and it hangs on a cable that stretches all the way from the bottom to the top of the mountain. Noggin was having such a good time looking down at the town below, that he didn't even notice that the cable car had stopped, about half-way up. The cable car operator was pushing buttons and talking into his radio, but nothing was happening.
"I don't like this one bit," said Izzy, getting nervous. "What if we're stuck and we can't get back down!"
Michael agreed. We was hungry and thirsty already, and he wanted to go to the cafe at the top of the mountain for a snack. He tried very hard to be brave, but he was starting to think he might have to cry.
Some of the other people in the car were even more afraid, and one lady had her eyes shut very tight and was breathing funny.
But Dominic, who is very good with mechanical things, especially things that involve pushing buttons and opening and closing things, was calm as anything. Although he is only five, he is quite smart, and very sensible, so he decided to take charge.
"Noggin," said Dominic, "your job is to help the people who are afraid, by letting them stroke your head, because that is very calming. Izzy, can you find something in your backpack for Michael to eat or drink? I'll see if I can help get us moving again."
Then Dominic climbed up into the cable car operator's box in the center of the car and began very carefully to press buttons, until he pressed just the right one, and with a little bump, the cable car began moving up and up again.
When they got to the top, everyone cheered, and they thanked Dominic and said he was a hero.
Then they went to the cafe to get a snack, and they drank green Slushpuppies until their tongues turned green, and they climbed up on rocks and looked down at all of Capetown and had wonderful fun together until it was time to ride the cable car back down the mountain. This time, everything worked perfectly and it didn't stop until it was at the bottom, safe and sound.
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