“All their mother’s warnings about what a dangerous place it was and how they should always keep away from it, flashed through Inez’s head. Up close, she could see how unusual the tree was. About 70 feet high, it soared above them and from its front and four or five thick buttresses extended from the base of its trunk. The buttresses were high, at least as tall as mama, Inez thought, and they were smooth. They looked like the entrances to tunnels, cool and inviting, but entrances which she felt certain would swallow you up if you entered. ”
Extract from ‘The Jackanooni’ – included in the showcase