The small warrior of Serengeti October 2017 It is a popular time for visiting the Serengeti in Tanzania. It is when the famous wildebeest migration commences. However, this year will cause an unplanned adventure for a small elephant. Nui was a small but very adventurous young elephant. However, it was not his first time to see the Wildebeest migration. The first time he saw it, he thought it was amazing. Nui lived in a large herd of over a hundred elephants, his mother being the leader. Her name was Nulu. Nui had been cared for by his herd, his mother and by his older sister, Roa. His mother taught him many things. One lesson she kept reminding him was that courage is not being free from fear, rather it is being afraid but still going on. Today, the herd would be going to the lake for a drink and a nice bath. On the way, the wildebeest crossed the herd’s path, so they had to wait for the path to clear. Nui had been urged to the front next to his mother, so he could admire the wildebeest up close. The rush of wind was so fast and powerful, Nui had to secure his feet firmly to make sure he wasn’t swept off his feet. The lake was up ahead. He could see glimpses of it through a few loose spots in the wildebeest’s formation. He thought if he could get through to the other side.... Too late. His mind slipped and so did his footing. A wildebeest’s tail hit him on his side and sent him into the flow of wildebeest. “Nui!“ his mother cried. “Mom!“ he called back. The wildebeest carried him away like a river, away from his mother, her cries getting farther and farther away. The last sound he heard were hooves before he passed out. When Nui woke up, he was on a large grassy plain dotted with trees. However, he was alone. Nui felt like crying, but he couldn’t lose hope. He had to find his way home one way or another. Nui had walked two kilometers when he spotted some animals. A herd of giraffes was grazing at the treetops. He walked to the nearest one and called “Hello” trying to make his voice as loud as possible. A giraffe bent her head down and answered, “Yes, how may I help you”? “How far is the watering hole?” he questioned. The giraffe looked at the horizon and answered, “About thirty more kilometers”, and then went back to eating. “Great!“ Nui thought. “It might take a week”. But he immediately set off. After walking for a long time, it was soon dark. Nui used to sleep with his mum while gazing at the stars. But now, he was afraid to go to sleep. To make things worse, Nui heard a roar nearby. His ears pressed to his side and his pupils seemed to expand. The object looming over him came into focus. With yellow fur and a mane that gleamed in the moon light, red ruby eyes, the creature in front of him was unmistakable. The animal was a fully grown adult male lion. “Well well well”!! It said. “If it isn’t a delicious little elephant“. Nui was cornered with no way out. Nui was frozen with fear. He remembered his mother’s words. “Courage is not being free from fear, it is being afraid but still going on”. He found a way of combining that with some of his other talents, intelligence and quick thinking. “You know ...” he started, “I
wouldn’t taste very good with no toppings”. The lion, who was distracted, was still thinking when Nui had hit his leg hard and ran away. The lion had a lost meal and sustained a bad fracture that he did not know how he got. The next day, Nui had set off to find his herd. His hopes raised when he heard a low rumble. It was the elephant’s call, which meant he was nearby. He started to run until claws raked his back. He turned to see the lion which had cornered him last night. One of his legs hung limply to his side. “This isn’t over yet boy” he said. Nui barely avoided the pounce while the pain seared trough his back. He didn’t think he could avoid the next one when he a heard loud trumpeting sound. A moment later a wall of grey slammed into the lion. Nui found himself next to his mother. “Where were you? “Nulu questioned. “On my way back” Nui replied. “We were worried sick looking for you” Roa said while examining her brother’s back. “But the important thing is that were all back together” Nulu said with with a smile. Roa held her brother’s trunk. “Come on Nui, tell us your story” she said