Post by Bhu ♥ Irwin on Aug 9, 2012 11:00:21 GMT -5
Heh, I just found this. I wrote it for a project on Ocelots in the Illegal Pet Trade in Elementary School! I am excited to have found this owo Pardon any weird indentations/spaces....I am too lazy to recode this from Mircosoft Word.
Night time; the time of the two-legged beasts. I lay snuggled in my mother’s soft, golden fur. It’s warm and comfortable but I lay awake. I can hear my mother’s soft, easy breathing, alone with my hard, nervous breaths. I search the area, frightened by every movement. What is to happen to me and my mother? Will we end up like brother and father? Me as a pet and mother as a fur pelt for some rich folk? They were taken in the night without me or my mother even knowing. Will I be next?
“Bhuvana, get some sleep. We will be moving again tomorrow morning before the first human starts their search.” I heard my mother purr somewhere next to me.
“Again? We just moved a few hours ago!” I roared angrily as I shot to my feet. If brother were here, he would have calmed me just by looking at me. But he wasn’t, and I was furious. IN the past week, ever since brother and father got captured, we have moved every day. I knew we had to, for my own protection, but I didn’t like it at all.
“I’m sorry, Bhuvana.” My mother said apologetically. “The humans have trained the wolf pack to sniff us out. We are in much, much more danger now.” My mother explained sadly. I knew not to put up a fuss. My mother didn’t like moving any more than I liked it. It wasn’t fair to her if I made a big deal.
“Fine.” I grumbled and lay back down beside her. Surprisingly, I fell asleep within minutes.
* * *
“Wake up, Bhuvana.” I heard my mother say softly. I groaned and turned away from her.
“Bhuvana, get up! I smell someone coming!” she hissed.
Yeah, yeah. Sure you do. I thought to myself.
CRACK. A twig snapped outside our cave entrance. My eyes snapped open as my mother fell silent. She slowly turned her head and then froze. There was a massive gray dog-like creature. A wolf. Then a two-legged creature stepped into view. My hair stood up on end. The fury and hatred filled my face. A human. I jumped to my feet and began to lunge out of the cave. My mother swiftly and silently grabbed my tail and pulled me back. The human and wolf continued on, past the cave, unaware of the creatures within.
Once I could no longer see, smell, or hear the two creatures, I turned to my mother.
“Mum, was that...” I began but my mother gave me a glare that made me stop.
“Let’s go before they return.” She said sternly. I silently followed behind my mother. I didn’t talk, knowing my mother was angry with me. I should never ignore mother, and I should never, ever lunge at a human. If mother hadn’t grabbed my tail, her and I would be dead. How could I be so stupid? I put mother in danger because I my disobedience.
“Mum, I…” I finally began but was cut off by my mother’s soft, but angry voice.
“Next time I tell you to do something, you do it. Don’t ignore me or pretend you are sleeping. We would both be dead if either the wolf or human had been alert. First you ignore me and then you pounce at a human! You have a major death wish. A wolf could kill you in a second; a human could kill you in less than a second. Don’t ever do that again, because next time I may not be there to stop you.” She said in a disappointed tone. She was no longer angry; she was scared for my life. I didn’t say another word, knowing all she had said, was true. Humans were no joking matter. I should never let my anger towards them make me do an idiotic thing like pounce at them, and I should never, ever ignore mother.
* * *
We arrived at a cave a while later. It was well lit because of tiny holes in the ceiling. It had a stream on both sides which thrived with schools of salmon and many other rainforest fish. I saw giant river otters and snakes. My eyes locked in frightful amazement as I saw an anaconda slide into the water, and that was just in a single stream. In the other stream, I saw mostly piranhas, caimans, and another anaconda. I also saw deer, tapir, and many tropical birds. I loved this place and hoped this was our new home.
“Don’t get too comfortable, here; we may be moving again, soon.” My mother said. Her eyes were filled with wonder and excitement. I knew, unless the humans found us, she wasn’t going anywhere. “I’m going to check out the cave. You should practice your fishing skills in that calm area. Be careful of piranha, anacondas, and caiman.” My mother instructed as she walked towards the cave. I ran and dove off the ledge into the shallow, calm pool of water. I could feel the force of the stream trying to pull me into the rushing waters. The roar of the stream blocked out all other noises. Salmon swam all around me. I went into the pouncing stance that my father had taught me before he was killed. A salmon jumped. I instinctively closed my eyes as I pounced which caused me to miss my target. A stinging sensation went through my skull as I rolled backwards. I slowly opened my eyes and spotted a large cub rubbing her own head.
“Watch it! You almost cracked my head open!” the cub snarled, obviously angered by my clumsiness. I backed away nervously as the cub opened her eyes and looked me up and down. I saw a smirk appear on her face. “You are one pathetically tiny jaguar!” she teased, laughing at her own comment.
“J-j-jaguar? Is that what you are?” I asked dumbly.
“Well, duh! Name’s Abey, but call my Aby. You?” The cub, Abey, introduced herself as she knocked the water from her ears.
“My name is Bhuvana, but you can call me Bhuvy, if you want. And I ain’t no jaguar; I’m an ocelot!” I said smoothly.
“Yeah, my mother used to tell me about ocelots. Said they were a lot like us jaguars, except smaller and more graceful in the trees than we are. So you live in the cave up there, because it looks like a mighty nice cave?” Abey asked, peering up at the cave.
“Well, yeah, sorta. I don’t really live there. It’s more like a pit stop. My mum and I are always traveling, trying to stay away from the humans and the destruction they make. Every time we settle back down, someone gets killed, a human invades us, or they set the place on fire.” I snarled, angered by the ignorant humans. They couldn’t care less about the lives they’re taking. They only care about themselves.
“Oh, you live with you mother? I’m a lone cat. I don’t need anyone.” Abey declared, obviously ignoring everything else I had said. I looked at Abey’s eyes and saw she hadn’t meant what she said. Jaguars stay with their parents for at least two years. She is only about one year, a little older than me. The humans must have killed her parents and siblings.
“For another year I’m a mama’s girl.” I admitted awkwardly.
“Mind if I join you for breakfast?” Abey asked. Before I could answer, she was out of the water and walking towards the cave.
“Sure, I guess.” I said, even though I knew she couldn’t hear me over the roar of the stream.
I went to jump to the shore, but miscalculated my leap. I would have been fine if I hadn’t rolled. Because I rolled I happened to end up rolling out of the calm pool and into the rushing stream. Oh no! I’m going to die! I thought as I got yanked under the bone chilling water. I surfaced and saw Abey gracefully jump from the calm pool to a boulder in the middle of the stream. I called out her name but no sound came out. Instead, I got a mouthful of water.
“Bhuvy!” I heard Abey’s frantic voice scream. Then I heard a new, even more terrified voice.
“Bhuvana!” my mother scream my name. I was forced under water again when I tried to reply to her scream. I hit the muddy bottom and used my powerful hind legs to shoot back to the surface. I surfaced in time to hear a shrill cry and watch as Abey slipped and disappeared into the waves of the stream. Now my mother screamed my name and the word jaguar, for she didn’t know Abey’s name.
I was yanked under and the stream bottom disappeared as I fell downwards. I screamed as I felt myself fall down and down and down. I heard the shrill cry as Abey was pulled downward. I then realized what was happening. A waterfall! I began to scream louder. My shouts drowned out Abey’s calls. The only time I stopped screaming was when the force of the water below shut my mouth. The impact of me hitting the water confused me, in a way. I had no idea which way to go. I heard Abey’s screams getting closer but I stayed floating where I was.
THWACK. The impact of Abey belly-flopping onto me sent me under the water into the river’s muddy bottom. I surfaced next to Abey. The impact of the Abey hitting the water knocked her out because she wasn’t moving and her eyes were closed. I hoped that was all it was. I grabbed her by the scruff of the neck and hauled her out of the water. There I sat, cold, wet, and frightened, waiting for her to wake.
* * *
I must have fallen asleep because the next thing I knew it was night, and Abey was nowhere in sight. Automatically the worst came to mind. An animal got her. Or worse, a human got her! I jumped up and frantically began searching for her tracks. I saw the jaguar cub prints leading to the forest. I also spotted a long, sliding mark leading the same way, but I ignored it. I followed the jaguar prints until I heard a low hissing sound. I turned slowly and my hairs stood on end when I saw the creature. The long snout, the hard, green scales, the hypnotizing black and yellow eyes. A caiman. My mum had always told me to watch out for caimans. She told me that if I see a long sliding mark, stand guard, for it’s the caiman’s mark. She had always warned me that caimans could take down an ocelot cub, easily. I had seen many caimans in streams and sunning themselves on boulders and river banks before, but never so close. I could feel its breath being blown on me from its nostrils atop its head. I stared at it, locked in its gaze. I saw it lunge, but it seemed like slow motion. Then I heard a snarl and a golden blur landed atop the caiman’s jaws, forcing them shut.
“Bhuvy, get outta here!” a familiar voice ordered. The caiman hissed and growled and swung its tail like a whip, trying to free its mighty jaws. But the creature held the jaws tightly shut. I finally realized who was saving me.
“Aby!” I exclaimed happily. Abey was not happy.
“Run, you idiot!” the anger in her voice made me look down at the caiman.
“Oh yeah.” I said dumbly and shot off back towards the stream. I saw down and waited for Abey in silence.
I heard a rustling in the bushes and stood up, ready to run if I had to. The caiman charged out and splashed into the stream. Abey came running out right behind it. She was all scratched up, but alive.
“Aby, you’re alright!” I ran to her, ready to help her if needed.
“Yeah, I am. No thanks to you! When I say run, run! You almost got me, and you, killed.” She said angrily, pulling away from my helping paws. I looked down at my own paws. This was the second time today I almost got someone else killed by my disobedience.
“Aby, I…” I began but was cut off by a rustling in the bushes. I screamed and ran to Abey’s side as the two-legged creature walked out of the bushes. A human! I held back my anger and didn’t lunge, just as my mother had instructed. I then realized there was a net over me and Abey. I saw tears in Abey’s eyes. That’s something I never expected. I didn’t know Abey could cry!
“This is just like when my mother, father, and sister were captured! I was lucky enough to break through the new and go to a tree but I could only watch as the humans clubbed my whole family to death and set fire to my home!” Abey wailed. I didn’t know what to say. I couldn’t comfort her. I could only sit there, frightened and helpless.
The human scooped up the net with us in it and threw us into a cage. I unraveled the netting from me and Abey, and watched through the cage bars as the car started and we were driven away from our home. I heard the call of my name as I saw my mother appear from the trees. She chased the truck, but was soon left behind as the truck began going faster.
“Bhuvy, I’m scared.” I heard Abey whimper. I crawled up next to her.
“Me, too, Aby. Me, too.” And we both fell into a restless sleep.
* * *
I drowsily opened my eyes and saw a huge thing in out cage. A hand! I ran to the back of the cage, behind Abey. Abey immediately jumped up and scratched the man’s hand. The man yelled and slammed the cage door shut, running from the room. I smiled at my brace friend. She wasn’t crying anymore; she didn’t even seem frightened. I looked at my own trembling legs. I was petrified.
Two humans came walking over to our cage. One was the man that Abey had scratched. The other was a young, blonde woman. She wore loose jeans and a flowing pink shirt. Her face was cheerful and she had a warm, comfortable smile.
“Cool it, Tarn.” The blonde girl laughed at the man that we now knew as Tarn.
“But it scratched me!” he spat back at her. Abey flinched at being called an it, but other than that, she was beaming proudly.
“First of all, she isn’t an it. She is a female jaguar cub. Approximately twenty pounds, which is mostly muscle; very healthy and extremely strong.” The blonde explained, looking in her notebook that she was carrying. She then looked at Tarn. “Secondly, she is frightened and defending her ocelot friend.”
“Animals don’t think, get frightened, or defend. Only the parents defend and that’s because of instincts. You know that, Ashley.” Tarn scolded as he washed the blood from his scratched hand. Ashley, so that’s the girl’s name.
Ashley threw her notebook onto the counter and stomped over next to Tarn. Her face was red with fury.
“Say that to my face; I dare you.” She challenged.
“Ooo, somebody’s angry!” Abey declared excitedly. I laid my head between my paws nervously. I hate it when people are angry; especially a human. They are evil when they’re happy; I don’t want to see one angry.
“I’m sorry, Ashley, but we all know it’s true.” Tarn said as he dried his hands, obviously unthreatened by the venom in Ashley’s tone.
“You shouldn’t push your luck, Tarngus.” Ashley sneered. Tarn flinched and stared at Ashley with an annoyed look. That must be his full name, and he hates it! Tarn looked like he was going to say something, but Ashley continued. “You should be thankful I am allowing this! Thankful I spent the time looking for a family that already has an illegal pet so they know how to handle it! These poor cubs were stripped from their homes, families, lives, just for the greediness of mankind. Be thankful I am allowing that!” Ashley shouted with disgust in her voice.
My hair stood on end. Sold to a human? So it was true! I jumped to my feet so fast that Abey tumbled to the other side of the cage.
“I have to get out of here!” I screamed, running in circles. “I can’t end up like my brother, Sagar! I can’t! I won’t!” I roared. I know the humans can’t understand a word I say, but I don’t care. I need to escape! Abey began inching her way over to me but Tarn stepped beside me first. I fell silent as he sent a medal rod into the cage. It was cold on my skin and sent chills down my spine. Then a painful volt of electricity, like lightening, went down my spine. I roared in pain and jumped onto Abey.
“Shut up, feline.” Tarn sneered.
“Tarn! We agreed no electric guns!” Ashley yelped as she ran over and opened our cage. Her warm hands felt comforting, like my mother’s fur, as they wrapped around my waist. The thought of my mother made me sob. Ashley cradled me in her arms like an average house cat.
She is letting Tarn sell Abey and me! I hissed loudly and scratched Ashley’s hand, drawing blood. Ashley yelped and gently placed me back in the cage, shutting the door behind me. Abey stared at me in disbelief.
“I didn’t know you knew how to be a cat!” she teased. I stuck my tongue out at her and watched as Ashley calmly washed the scratch mark on her hand and walked over to our cage.
“Well, self defense is something neither of them lacks.” Ashley laughed. I growled at her, showing my sharp canines. Abey stared at her with hatred.
“I don’t get why you love animals so much. They don’t understand.” Tarn grumbled as he walked from the room. Ashley rolled her eyes and bent down so her baby blue eyes were level with our chocolate brown ones.
“Don’t worry; I’m going to help you and the ocelot cub that lives with the Granon family escape. I promise.” Ashley reassured us quietly. She silently stood back up straight and walked out of the room.
“She is on our side!” I said, relieved.
“Or, she is tricking us.” Abey suggested.
“Yeah, well, that may be but I’m going to trust her. It’s not like we have anything to lose.” I pointed out. Abey thought to herself for a moment.
“Yeah, I suppose you’re right, for once.” She finally declared. I rolled my eyes and laid back down.
“I’m hungry, Bhuvy.” Abey complained. I felt my own stomach grumble.
“Yeah, me, too.” I admitted. As if Ashley could read our minds, she came back in the room with a deer hide for Abey, and ocelot formula for me. She placed the deer hide beside Abey and lifted me from the cage. I looked down as I saw Abey dive into the deer hide greedily and frantically began eating. I’m going to start eating meat, soon! Ashley gently placed me on a soft cat bed. The scent of an adult female cat lingered on the bed. I looked around and saw why. A calico stood in the corner watching me. Maybe she can tell me some about Ashley and Tarn. I hoped. Before I could ask any questions, the scent of the formula made my mind linger back to Ashley.
Ashley offered the formula and I graciously began to eat. Out of the corner of my eye I spotted the calico leap onto the counter across from me and begin to slowly drink from her water dish. Her gaze never left me. She began to make me feel nervous so I pulled away from Ashley and meowed to show I was done. I was hoping she would place me back into the safety of the cage but instead she placed me in a playpen. She then grabbed the now sleeping Abey and placed her in the corner of the pen. Ashley left the room and, as she did, the calico leapt from the counter and headed towards me.
“Hey, I’m Adrienne!” the calico introduced herself as she easily leapt over the pen fence. “What’s your name?”
“I’m Bhuvana.” I said cautiously.
“Nice to meet ya’. Bhuvana? Where have I heard that name before?” Adrienne pondered for a moment. “Ah, yes, a young male ocelot cub came through here a week ago. Kept mentioned his sister, Bhuvana. His name was Sagar.”
Sagar? It couldn’t be…could it?
“That’s my brother!” I exclaimed happily.
“Oh how foolish of me not to notice. Your markings are remarkably close, which could only mean you’re family.” Adrienne scolded herself. “Well, you will see Sagar again. Ashley never backs down on a promise.” Adrienne reassured.
“Oh great. I’ll have two mini ocelots to defend.” I heard someone complain behind me. I spun around, only to see a grinning Abey.
“Oh great, the Almighty Abey awakens.” I growled playfully. I then turned back towards Adrienne. “Oh yeah, Abey, this is Adrienne. Adrienne, this is Abey.” I introduced them. “Adrienne, word to the wise, watch out for Abey, she’s vicious.” I warned. I yelped loudly as Abey’s sharp canines came down on my tail. “See.” I snarled. Adrienne fell on her back in laughter.
* * *
An hour later, Tarn walked back into the room with Ashley on his heels.
“Time to go to your new home, felines.” Tarn snarled.
“Adrienne, you’re going with them.” Ashley announced. Adrienne turned to us.
“Ashley wants me to escape with you because I am scheduled to be put to sleep. I hurt someone, while protecting Ashley, but, yet, I am the one to be punished.” Adrienne explained angrily.
“Oh, okay.” I acknowledged. This is great! If the escape works, I’ll have my mother, brother, and two friends! How much better could it get? Unless father was raised from the dead, of course…
My thought was cut off as I felt Tarn’s strong hands grab the scruff of my neck. I tumbled into the cage as Tarn threw me. I looked up and saw Ashley grab Tarn’s arm, which was reaching for Abey, and push him back.
“You call the Granon family and tell them we are on our way. I’ll pack the cubs.” Ashley ordered impatiently. I heard Tarn grumbled a word I dare not repeat as he walked out of the room. Ashley bent down closer to Adrienne and Abey and whispered something to them. I saw Abey give a venomous glare to Adrienne as was she lifted up and placed next to me in the cage. She continued glaring at Adrienne as Adrienne was lifted up and placed in the cage.
“What did she say?” I inquired nervously. I don’t like how angry Abey is…
“Ashley said that Adrienne is in charge of us until we get to your mother.” Abey snarled unhappily. A smirk crossed my face.
“You gotta be kidding me. A housecat in charge of a jaguar and ocelot cub? That’s crazy talk! I mean, we are both cubs and Adrienne is an adult, but yet we are already bigger and stronger than her!” I couldn’t help but laugh out the words. I looked over at Adrienne’s hurt expression.
“I didn’t mean to offend you, Adrienne. I’m sorry. “ I apologized. Adrienne smiled softly.
“It’s okay. I understand that’s just how our species is.” Adrienne laughed softly.
* * *
A half an hour later, I began pacing in my cage as we drove down the road to the Granon’s. Abey and Adrienne watched in silence. This is so exciting and frightening at the same time! I’m going to see my brother again, but I also have to escape or I’m stuck in a human household as a pet for the rest of my life. Finally, I faced Adrienne.
“Does Ashley already have an escape plan?” I inquired.
“Well, none that she has told me, anyway. She may have one that she hasn’t told us, yet.” Adrienne answered uncertainly. I sighed and began to pace again. Whatever her plan may be, it better not end up hurting my mother or brother!
I continued pacing until I felt the car stop and saw Ashley open the cage door. Then I saw him. He was on a leash which was held by a small boy. He sat staring at the truck with an expression that told me he didn’t know I was the newcomer. I pounced out of Ashley’s hands as she lifted me from the cage and ran towards him.
“Sagar!” I hollered. I saw Sagar’s eyes widen.
“Bhuvana…? Bhuvana!” he roared in return as he easily yanked the leash from the boy’s hands and ran towards me. I heard Tarn, Ashley, and the Granon’s calling after us, but we ignored them. We jumped into each other and I could feel his thick, muscular arms around me. I felt safe once more.
“I though I lost you.” I whimpered. I felt Sagar’s arms get pulled away from me. I opened my eyes only to see the young boy squeezing and yelling at Sagar.
“You don’t run away from me!” the boy scolded angrily. Sagar stared nervously at the boy with his ears back. Ashley walked over and gently lifted me up.
“Don’t get angry at him, Kiki.” Ashley told the boy. “Look at their spot patterns; they’re extremely similar. They must be siblings. You should let them play in the play pen. Along with my calico, Adrienne, and the jaguar cub. You should also name your new animals.”
“Oh yeah! Ashley, I named the male ocelot here, Sergeant. I named his sister, Lady, and the jaguar is Karoo. Your calico can keep the name Adrienne.” Kiki explained.
“He named me Lady! I am not Lady; I am Bhuvana!” I roared.
“Get used to it, Lady.” Sagar teased. Ashley placed Abey and Adrienne down beside us.
“Karoo? What the heck does Karoo mean?” Abey asked in confusion.
“Don’t know. Don’t care. You don’t need to get used to it because we won’t be here long.” Adrienne reminded us.
“Oh yeah, Sagar, that is Adrienne. And that is Abey, or Karoo. But if I were you, I would stick to Abey.” I laughed.
“Nice to meet you both, but what do you mean we won’t be here long?” Sagar asked with confusion thick in his tone.
“Ashley is planning an escape for all of us.” I told him happily. “Me, you, and mum will be a family again!” Sagar’s eyes lit up with my explanation.
“Yes! I hate Kiki. He is so annoying! And I can’t wait to see mother, again! When’re we leaving?” he asked.
“We aren’t quite sure, but we’re guessing soon.” Adrienne piped in.
“I hope so.” Sagar sighed. Kiki tugged at Sagar’s leash. “Come on. Time to go to the play pen.” Sagar huffed.
I soon found out the play pen was actually, a nap pen. As soon as you were in there, you were expected to sleep. Abey, Adrienne, and I, learned that the hard way. As soon as Sagar was in the pen, he went to the corner and went to sleep. Abey, Adrienne, and I continued playing. Kiki came in and gave us all a punishment. I cried out as I felt Kiki’s cold hands wrap around my tail. Sagar jolted awake just as Kiki pulled my tail and I flew across the pen. As Kiki walked away, I heard a chuckle come from Sagar.
“I forgot to mention it’s as soon as we are in the pen. If you don’t go to bed, you’ll get punished. Aka, you’ll get your tail yanked.” Sagar said in an apologetic voice. We all groaned as we followed him to the blankets in the corner for some sleep.
* * *
I awoke to gentle shaking. I opened my eyes and saw Sagar shaking me.
“Come on; Ashley is waiting outside for us. It’s time to go home.” Sagar whispered happily. I saw Abey and Adrienne already on the other side of the playpen fence.
“How did they get over the fence?” I asked as I stood up.
“They jumped, of course.” He answered. I looked at him and lowered my voice.
“You know I was born with a leg issue and can’t jump that high.” I reminded.
“Don’t worry. They know. I am going to help you over.” He said reassuringly. I smiled at him as we stepped up to the fence. “Get on my shoulders.” He ordered. I wobbly stepped onto his shoulders and reached for the top of the fence. I felt the fence top and yanked myself up. Sagar jumped up next to me. “Come on.” He said and then jumped to the other side. I followed obediently and landed silently next to Abey, Adrienne, and Sagar. We all silently ran to the front door, which was ajar and Ashley was standing nervously waiting for us. She had an eight foot by eight foot cage waiting for us in the back of the pick up truck. I quickly jumped in. Sagar, Adrienne, and Abey followed. I looked up at Ashley and meowed softly. She picked me up and I gave her a thankful lick.
“Thank you, Ashley.” I said softly. As if she understood she placed me down and softly said you’re welcome. I watched her as she climbed into the car and drove towards the road. Then Adrienne piped up.
“Guys, don’t spaz out when Ashley puts a collar around your necks. She’s putting them on all of us, including your mother, to track us and make sure we’re safe. Also, she’s going to need you to convince your mother to get into the cage so she can relocate us into a local national park.” Adrienne explained. I shook my head in understanding and smiled.
“I guess not all humans are bad…” I admitted softly.
“Many are, like Tarn and the Granon family. They exploit animals for fur, like your father. They also are involved in the illegal pet trade, which is what you fell victim to. But some humans want to help, like Ashley. Some dedicate their lives for the rainforest and its creatures, You guys are lucky you met Ashley.” Adrienne smiled. I walked over to Abey.
“You okay, Karoo?” I teased.
“Yeah, I’m fine, Lady.” She answered. I felt a jolt as the truck stopped. Ashley stepped out of the car and went into a building. When she returned she had four, tiny expandable collars and one big one. She opened the cage and placed one on Sagar, She then wrote down the collar number in her notebook. She did the same for all of us. The collar was light and I could barely feel it around my neck.
“This won’t be too hard to get used to.” I smirked. Ashley closed the cage and hopped back into the car.
“Now the hard journey of finding your mother.” Adrienne said. I laid down in the corner of the cage and Sagar, Abey, and Adrienne laid beside me.
The familiar sounds, smells, and sights surrounded me as we entered the forest, We stopped he truck in an all too familiar spot. Abey tensed up when she looked around. We were back at the exact spot our adventure began. The waterfall that had taken me and Abey from my mother made the earth around us rumble. Sagar and Adrienne saw the tense looks on mine and Abey’s faces.
“What’s wrong?” Sagar asked.
“This is it. Mum is close by. Our cave is up the waterfall. We will have to go threw the trees but it won’t take long.” I explained happily. Ashley stayed in the truck. She must know my mum is close by.
I roared happily and then listened for a reply. It only took a second. I heard a replying roar. It was mother, and she was close. I heard the crack of twigs as my mother bounded at full speed towards us. I saw her emerge from the forest and freeze.
“Mum!” I hollered.
“Bhuvana!” she called back.
“Mother!” Sagar roared, jumping next to me. Mother was silent for a moment.
“Sagar?...Sagar!” she screamed. She came bounding over and began licking us through the cage bars,
“Mum, there’s a human girl, Ashley. She is kind and is helping us. She helped us escape and now she is going to move us all to a protected part of the forest. Let her put a radio collar on you and when she opens the cage, hop in.” I explained. “Oh, and this is Adrienne and Abey.” I added. My mother stared back and forth between Sagar and me.
“Okay, I trust you.” She said softly. She walked over to the truck door and gently nudged it. Ashley slowly stepped out, very cautiously. She gently placed the collar on my mother and slowly walked towards the cage. As soon as she opened the cage my mother hopped in and laid down. Sagar, Abey, Adrienne, and I all cuddled up to her.
“What magnificent and caring creatures.” I heard Ashley admire as she closed the cage. She hopped back into the truck and we headed towards the National Park.
After a few minutes the truck stopped and Ashley walked towards us. She opened the cage and smiled.
“You’re free.” She said softly. Before anyone could react, I jumped up into Ashley’s arms. I licked her cheek and then she placed me down. I stared up at her and then turned towards my family.
“Come on.” I said and we all ran into the trees.
I don’t know what will happen to us or if we will ever see Ashley again. But I do know my brother, mother, and two best friends are alive and with me and we are safe from human destruction and ignorance, for now. Sooner or later, though, humans will invade upon this sanctuary, causing many species of plants and animals to disappear forever; unless more people become like Ashley. The rainforest and its inhabitants need human help, because we can’t defend ourselves from the human ignorance and greed. Only humans can save us from other humans.
