Op 'n dag, toe die son hoog in die lug hang oor die uitgestrekte Karoo, was Lukas opgewonde en 'n bietjie senuweeagtig.

One day, when the sun was high in the sky over the vast Karoo, Lukas was excited and a bit nervous.

Hy was op soek na sy geliefde troetelvolstruis, Ollie, wat die vorige aand verdwyn het.

He was searching for his beloved pet ostrich, Ollie, who had disappeared the previous night.

Ollie was nie 'n gewone volstruis nie, maar 'n ware vriend en makker vir Lukas.

Ollie was not just an ordinary ostrich, but a true friend and companion to Lukas.

Die Karoo was wyd en leeg, soos 'n see sonder water.

The Karoo was wide and empty, like a sea without water.

Lukas begin sy soektog by die enigste plek waar hy en Ollie altyd speel – die ou windpomp naby hulle plaashuis.

Lukas began his search at the only place where he and Ollie always played – the old wind pump near their farmstead.

Maar Ollie was nie daar nie.

But Ollie was not there.

Sy hart begin vinniger klop terwyl hy die oneindige landskap inkyk.

His heart started beating faster as he surveyed the endless landscape.

Met elke stap wat hy neem, roep hy hard uit: "Ollie!

With each step he took, he called out loudly, "Ollie!

Ollie!

Ollie!"

"Sy voete trap deur die sand en oor die klippe, maar daar was geen teken van Ollie nie.

His feet trudged through the sand and over the rocks, but there was no sign of Ollie.

Ure gaan verby, die son begin sak, en Lukas voel hoe die moed in sy skoene sak.

Hours passed, the sun began to set, and Lukas felt his courage waning.

Hy maak 'n plan om kringe in die woestyn te loop in die hoop om sy voetspore terug te volg huis toe.

He made a plan to walk in circles in the desert, hoping to retrace his steps back home.

Maar in die Karoo kan 'n mens maklik verdwaal en die landmerke lyk almal dieselfde.

But in the Karoo, it is easy to get lost, and all the landmarks look the same.

Lukas begin moeg raak, sy mond droog van die dors.

Lukas began to grow tired, his mouth dry from thirst.

Hy begin met homself praat, harder en harder, "Waar kan jy wees, Ollie?

He started talking to himself, louder and louder, "Where could you be, Ollie?"

"Toe die skemer begin inval, kom Lukas tot stilstand.

As dusk fell, Lukas came to a stop.

Hy kyk na 'n kaktus wat effens anders lyk as die res.

He looked at a cactus that looked slightly different from the rest.

Dit was lank en reguit met iets wat soos twee oë blink in die valerige lig.

It was tall and straight with something that looked like two eyes shining in the fading light.

Sy hart slaan 'n slag oor, en hy stap nader.

His heart skipped a beat, and he walked closer.

Lukas kon sweer die kaktus het beweeg.

Lukas could swear the cactus had moved.

En skielik, met 'n geluid tussen 'n snork en 'n snuif, val die kaktus se "takke" af en daar voor Lukas se verbaasde oë staan Ollie!

Suddenly, with a sound between a snore and a snort, the cactus's "branches" fell away, and there stood Ollie before Lukas's astonished eyes!

Die volstruis was die hele tyd vermom as 'n kaktus en het stil-stil gevolg, versigtig om nie raakgesien te word nie.

The ostrich had been disguised as a cactus the whole time, stealthily following, careful not to be seen.

Lukas val op sy knieë en slaan sy arms om Ollie se lang nek, lag en huil terselfdertyd.

Lukas fell to his knees and wrapped his arms around Ollie's long neck, laughing and crying at the same time.

"Jy ou skelm," sê hy met verligting wat deur hom bruis.

"You old rogue," he said with relief brimming inside him.

"Jy's veilig!

"You're safe!"

"Hand aan vlerk stap Lukas en Ollie terug huis toe, die donker nag ingelui deur 'n sterrehemel wat net die Karoo kan hê.

Hand in wing, Lukas and Ollie walked back home, the dark night heralded by a starry sky that only the Karoo can have.

Die woestyn het hulle toegedraai in sy stilte, maar die eggo van hulle saamwees en die vriendskapsband wat nou sterker as ooit was, sou aanhou leef in die wyd-oop spasies van die Karoo.

The desert had enveloped them in its quietness, but the echo of their togetherness and the bond of friendship which was now stronger than ever, would continue to thrive in the vast open spaces of the Karoo.

Lukas het iets kosbaar geleer: soms, al lyk dinge hopeloos, kan die antwoord dalk reg agter jou wees – jy moet net omdraai en kyk.

Lukas had learned something precious: sometimes, even when things seem hopeless, the answer might be right behind you – you just have to turn around and look.