Search and you might find

                                      Search and you might find

I am an independent journalist living in a world of news spilling out at an unprecedented rate in the history of mankind. Much of it was false without any factual evidence, lies and untruths seem to be the norm. Each morning when I opened my computer or picked up the mail it took a good hour to sort through the garbage. Today I had a pleasant surprise. An invitation from an old friend to spend a quiet weekend in his country manor. It was about two years ago since I last saw him at Penelope’s wedding. We had a bet their marriage would not last five years. As far as I knew she was still married, but she remained a very demanding woman.

At the university I had been a very close friend of George Webster. He was now Sir Webster, a member of parliament. He was a pleasant chap with a head of white hair and a round chubby face with distinctive blue eyes. He had a corpulent body, no doubt, from heartily meals and plenty of drinking. His wife was quite the opposite with a slender profile and reddish hair arranged, like a beehive, on the top of her head. She had a wicked sense of humor and was always enjoyable company. I was looking forward to a quiet weekend in the country.

I  arrived an hour before dinner to face a manor built two hundred years ago. George inherited it from his parents. I remember the parties here when we were students at the university. His parents were great hosts, always inviting a selection of pretty young girls. I believe they wanted to make sure George meets the young people they approved of. George came leaping to the front door and hugged me with great affection.

“ I will get the maid to show your room. No need to dress for dinner we will only be us three. Come down to the drawing room in half an hour for cocktails”. 

While George handed me a whiskey I warmly embarrassed his wife. Nothing had changed; the beehive on the top of her head was still in place. I am always delighted to be served at dinner with good food and stimulating conversation. His wife left us the moment an excellent cigar and cognac were forthcoming. Once George’s cigar was lit he spoke.

David, do you remember that time at the university I taught you how to catch butterflies. 

“Sure I do, why are you still an ardent collector and improving your collection?   If I remember correctly you were obsessed with butterflies”. 

“Bring your cognac and come with me. I want to show you something”. 

We went down a small passage, at the end was a locked door. George took a key from his pocket, opened the door and switched on a series of overhead spotlights. I have  never seen such a beautiful show of hundreds of butterflies with their vibrant and delicate colors. The room was about 26 square meters with waist high side oak cabinets surrounding all the three walls. The upper three walls were covered with three large frames of magnificent pinned butterflies. I could see each frame was labelled with the title of three continents, the Americas, Europe and Africa. I stood there bewildered, completely stunted by the beauty of the room. As I walked in I noticed a large comfortable couch in the middle of the room. It was unusual in that it had two sides allowing one to change their position in order to view all sides of the room. In front of each side of the couch was a coffee table. I turned around to view the wall in which the door was positioned. The wall was covered with a wall to wall library. 

George suggested we should sit down. 

“As you notice I specialize in rare butterflies from three land masses”. You will notice there is a gape of two butterflies in the Americas display, one the European, and two on the African. Under each butterfly I always mark the date and place it was found. According to my book collection and extensive research these butterflies represent extremely rare spies. I like to think it is one of the world's greatest collections representing hundreds of hours of travel and research. To be complete I need to fill in the five missing specimens”.

“George, it is totally amazing. The display of these remarkably beautiful creatures makes one feel belittled when compared with the creations of nature. What’s in the draws below?”

“More butterflies that I thought were interesting on my travels searching for that rare specimen. As I am known throughout the world as a collector. I have a network of people that inform me that they have seen a rare butterfly. The world has many well informed amateurs interested in these creatures. In fact last week I had a call from a friend in Zimbabwe saying that a Flame Bordered Charakts had been sighted near Victoria falls. This is one of the extremely rare butterflies I am missing in my collection. Unfortunately at this time I cannot leave for Victoria falls”. 

“David, do you want a free two week holiday in Zimbabwe”.

“I don’t understand”. 

“ Well, you could go and spend a few days looking for this rare butterfly. I know you are very careful in netting butterflies without damaging them. The whole trip would be my expense”.

“Supposing I did net this rare butterfly, how would I get it out of the country? No doubt, these creators are protected by strict export laws”.  

You are right and collectors like me have to be very careful. In the case of Zimbabwe I would ask you to deliver the specimen to a friend in the capital, Harare. He will then carefully pin it into an old collection of common butterflies that Victorian families love to collect and frame. He will then ship it out to a London antique dealer. This rare butterfly mixed in an old frame will go unnoticed by the customs”. 

I can see you are well versed in extracting these treasures from various countries. I have never been to Victoria falls, they say it is one of the world’s spectacular sights. If I agree to go, would there be somebody there to meet me?”

“Yes, my contact would meet you at Victoria’s Airport and take you to your hotel. He will be your guide the whole trip. I suggest you spend two days as a tourist and then the next eight days exploring the forest where the butterfly was sighted. If not found in eight days, take the plane back home. If you, by a miracle, manage to capture it I ask you to fly to Harare and give it to my friend there. At this point I recommend you fly home from there. If an overnight stay is required in the capital my friend will arrange it. These trips are always a gamble, but to add this butterfly to my collection it is worth the cost of the gamble. We collectors are brain damaged human beings obsessed to complete the items we collect in a satisfying  and logical manner. Of course I will supply all the necessary equipment. You will need to consult your doctor about a trip of this nature so that he can supply you with all the necessary preventive medicines. No visa at this point is required for Zimbabwe. So are you game?’

“Just a minute let me look at my diary. Yes I think I could go next week.” 

“Is that a yes”.

I will need twenty four hours to make a decision as I have some commitments next week.

If you do go I suggest you go through Johannesburg and then on to Victoria falls.  Leave the return ticket open as you might want to fly back through Harare. My man, his name is Robin, born near Victoria Falls, will be with you your whole time in Zimbabwe.

It had been several years since I was last in Africa. My knowledge of the various countries on the continent was mainly in the north so to travel to the south would be an interesting venture.

As I sat enjoying a first class meal on British Airways it did cross my mind that maybe George had already planned my visit before I was asked down for a weekend. No doubt his thoughts were that a free trip to Victoria would not be turned down. I also realized dedicated collectors will employ any means available to achieve their ambitions. In my mind's eye I could see him spending evenings in his butterfly room completely transfixed by the beauty of these creators. No doubt this room is where George found a haven of peace from his responsibilities of his daily existence. These butterflies not only were creators of extreme beauty but represented for George a lifetime of dedicated research and travelling to far off lands to find the rare specimen. At the university he had always been an avid butterfly collector. But I never realized the depth of his passion.  I remember enjoying myself on various county outings looking for interesting butterflies. Now in an artful way he has got me involved. He must have thought I might be smitten by the activity. The truth of my interest in this trip was Victoria falls. Naturally if by some chance I found the rare butterfly, it would give me a warm feeling of self esteem. As the air hostess passed I ordered a glass of champagne and toasted to my success.  

The African journey had begun,  First to admire the falls and to search for the missing rare specimen.

Johannesburg airport was vast, obviously with no restriction on land constraints. No doubt, copied from the American and European textbook. You had to walk through large shopping malls filled with many life size copies of wild animals made out of various woods, clay and other materials. Sizes and prices for all comers. For a second I had a vision that this extensive animal kingdom became alive and started to enjoy the sweet human flesh of passengers awaiting planes. Interesting thought but a chilling turn of events

At the airport I found Robin waiting. The first thing I noticed as we drove towards the hotel was the soft and seductive African daylight with a warm weather that seemed to envelope you in its arms. Also through the car window I was able to admire a series of magnificent trees unique to Africa. About 10 kilometers from Victoria falls we turned up a small country road to the hotel. There I found a little patch of paradise. It corresponded to the photographs shown on the internet. Only 16 bungalows that stretched from a central lodge. I was curious to see the rooms that were described as about 150 square meters with bath and showing facilities, lounging space with a king sized bed area protected by a mosquito net. The first time I experienced sleeping under a mosquito net was in Barbados years ago. In those days it just hung over the bed and needed pulling down, of course I was unaware of this procedure. The next morning I had just one big mosquito bite. Funny how uber certain circumstances you quickly learn to use things properly. Back to the hotel.

The entrance hall and lounges were decorated to an ambiance of yesteryear, spacious, elegant and tasteful. The smiling staff treated me as if I had just come home after a trip up country. I had a vision of wearing riding boots, putting my feet up and asking someone to pull them off.

Before I was taken to my room we sat down with a cup of tea. George’s man, Robin, explained why I was here to take photos of butterflies for a London magazine. Before the shooting commenced we would take two days to see the falls.

While drinking our tea the hotel’s hostess kindly explained that to walk the length of the falls is a 2.4 miles walk with several stops to admire the view, also to dry out from the spray and mist generated by the falls. As it was the rainy season the falls would be near their maximum flow of 12800 cubic meters of water per second as opposed to 300 metric cubes in the dry season. We decided to visit on the first two mornings. 

Now to the room. As we entered I had the feeling of being introduced to Zimbabwe under British rule. This was the state of play, everything and everybody has their place. I walked through the room to the balcony at the far end, noticing on my way a bar full of all the drinks imaginable. I opened the glass screen windows to experience the Africa of one’s dreams. It was a small valley running down to a water hole. I quickly realized the hotel was on a slight rise protecting it from the multitude of animals slowly grazing their way to water. One could not ask for a more idyllic view. I was to spend a few hours on this balcony just observing the animal kingdom going about their daily lives. The room was delightful and serviced with all the facilities to make your stay a pleasing memory. I had a bizarre feeling that for the privileged, Africa must have been a very pleasant place.

The next morning heralded by a dawning sun, breakfast on the terrace with interesting choices of food. Robin drove me to see the falls. Twenty minutes drive we were in the Victoria Falls parking after being heralded by African folks dancing at the gate. Armed with waterproof capes we set off towards the falls. The first encounter was the noise, the next the spry and then through the trees we saw the watershed. It is a sight so awesome it literally tok your breath away. The beauty, the power, and the light and mist reflected from the cascade of water is frightening. I was inspired to write a poem in acknowledgement of its beauty. I knew a magazine in London that might be interested in publishing it.

The Falls----Victoria-----Zimbabwe

On the horizon across those vast lands

I saw a wispy sight of mist raising for the earth

No apparent panic from the wildlife, a fire it is not

The nearer I get a rainbow arching is beauty skywards

Then I heard the rumbling sound like thunder

There covered in spay is a mystery and magic that unfolds

Gigantic, awesome water falls from majestic heights

Falls in torrents of spectacular proportions

Careers deep into the river below

The beauty of the falls is in its majestic power

A never ending cascade of turbulent water

This power dominates your mind and soul

Torrents of water flow through your veins

You are left exhausted and on occasions wet from the spray

One feels very small experiencing nature’s magnificence

The original explores never saw the falls from the air

The mighty river in its majesty is a glorious prelude

Before it turns into the eternal beauty of the falls

One visit is not enough for the tranquility of your spirit

The second visit the falls were shrouded in mist and stray

Then by the hand of God the curtains opened

All her power and glory exposed to the naked eye

In bended knee you through your arms to heaven in admiration.

We spent the next day at the falls. Their splendor and magic had the same force of attraction as the previous day.  

On our third day Robin took me to the forest where the Charakt had been sited. There were plenty of butterflies and I practiced catching a few. When I let them go I enjoyed watching them fly into the magnificent trees. Robin was most amused. He told me he had spent many days with George chasing butterflies. It was my fourth day in the forest after spending many hours walking and watching the constant movement of these colourful creatures, that we saw the butterfly that Georges hunger for to complete his collection. There it was on a branch enjoying the evening sun. I took a deep breath, moved slowly and quietly forward. All my practising of using the butterfly net paid off. George had provided me with a special prepare box to keep the precious creator in. That night at the hotel we had an excellent dinner with Champagne. The next morning we left for Harare.

Robin and I found with difficulty George’s friend in a scheduled part of the capital. He was a taxidermist owning a store full of the various wildlife found in Zimbabwe. Once he saw the butterfly that George had already contacted him about his face lit up with excitement. 

“ I never thought you would find it,...... incredible. My friend George will be in seventh heaven”.

Later that day I said goodbye to Rodin and gave him a handsome tip for all his kindness and help. Sitting on the long flight to London I thought about my little adventure. Two days as a tourist visiting one of the world’s great wonders was like a dream. Then a few days tramping through the forest searching for a rare butterfly had the thrilling flavor of the chase. Completing my mission was a very satisfying end. 

Three weeks later when picking up the morning mail I noticed a letter from George. He told me everything was in order. There are no words to thank you. When you have a moment, come down to see us.  He enclosed a handsome check for my intervention.

David Nutt                                              December 2024