Chapter 1: Where Did the Vegemite Go?
It was a bright, sunny Wednesday morning in the small country town of Wagga Wagga. Eight-year-old Liam was sitting on the back veranda, carefully packing his lunchbox. He was getting ready for a day of school at Gum Tree Primary.
Liam loved his lunchbox. It was bright blue and had a picture of a smiling koala on the lid. Inside, he always had his favourites: a bright red apple, a small box of sultanas, and the most important item—a sandwich made with the tiniest smear of Vegemite on soft white bread.
“Perfect!” Liam whispered, snapping the lid shut.
He placed the blue lunchbox right next to his school bag, which was leaning against the cool brick wall. He went inside to put on his uniform—a crisp blue shirt and grey shorts.
When he came back, his smile vanished.
His school bag was still there. The brick wall was still there. But his bright blue koala lunchbox was gone!
Liam’s heart did a little thump-thump against his ribs.
“Mum!” he called out. “My lunchbox is missing!”
His mum came rushing out. “Missing? Are you sure, Liam? Did you look under the table?”
Liam shook his head. “I put it right here, Mum. Next to my bag.”
They searched everywhere. Under the deck, behind the big terracotta pot, and even in the shed. No blue lunchbox. No apple, no sultanas, and worst of all, no Vegemite sandwich.
“This is a real mystery,” Mum said, putting her hand on her chin. “It’s like it vanished into thin air!”
Think About It!
- Where does Liam live?
- What is Liam’s favourite thing to have in his sandwich?
- Where do you think the lunchbox went?
Word Power!
- Veranda: An open, roofed platform or gallery attached to the outside of a house.
- Sultanas: Dried white grapes.
- Vanished: Disappeared suddenly and completely.
- Mystery: Something that is difficult or impossible to understand or explain.
Activity Time!
- Draw a picture of Liam’s lunchbox. What does the koala look like?
- Imagine you are a detective. Write down three places you would search next to find the missing lunchbox!