rosie the african elephant by janet kaschula

8/11/2019 Rosie The African Elephant by Janet Kaschula

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About the Author

The author lives in Harare, Zimbabwe and is blessed with threechildren in their thirties and forties, and four grandchildren. Two

of her children were born in Zimbabwe and Christopher in

London. Janet calls Zimbabwe home and it was and is far

removed from England where she was born in Halifax in

Yorkshire. Her parents came to Northern Rhodesia (Now Zambia)in the mid-fifties and later made their home in Southern Rhodesia

(now Zimbabwe).

Janet became involved in conservation in the 90s and during the

horrendous drought in Zimbabwe and when conservationists were

desperate to translocate herds of elephant. Janet was asked to

assist with fund raising and thus began her involvement with these

gentle giants. It is a world far removed from her city and towns

and England, but it has been her lifes dream to pass on to the

young ones, some of whom have never seen an elephant, the

reality of our wildlife and to make what is real, magic. The author

wanted to show them a little of what she has learned. The peopleare wonderful and despite all, they have survived sometimes only

with a prayer for tomorrow.


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Dedication

To my children Caroline, Anthony and Christopher.

To those who believed in me when I sometimes lost faith inmyself.

To the wonderful people of Zimbabwe who shared their

smiles as well as their burdens over to many difficult times,who believed in their God for His miracles.


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Copyright Janet Kaschula

The right of Janet Kaschula to be identified as author of this work

has been asserted by her in accordance with section 77 and 78 of

the Copyright, Designs and Patents Act 1988.

All rights reserved. No part of this publication may bereproduced, stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted in any

form or by any means, electronic, mechanical, photocopying,

recording, or otherwise, without the prior permission of the

publishers.

Any person who commits any unauthorized act in relation to thispublication may be liable to criminal prosecution and civil claims

for damages.

A CIP catalogue record for this title is available from the British

Library.

ISBN 978 184963 715 2

www.austinmacauley.com

First Published (2014)

Austin Macauley Publishers Ltd.

25 Canada Square

Canary WharfLondonE14 5LB

Printed and bound in Great Britain


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Acknowledgments

Webster Gutsa my respected friend who assisted so ablywith my story.

Barbara Britz for her long hours in editing and re-editing.

Bill Sykes for assisting with the initial editing and who

kindly took away all my exclamation marks!Wade Penny for his amazing talented input assisted byElmie Pieters.Sue Burr for the design and artwork of Rosie.

Tamryn Middleton for the character illustrations of Rosiesfriends.

Ross Conlon who told me in my frustration, All in Gods

Timing.To those who gave their encouragement and support and for

helping to make a dream come truebe it only a short storyfor children, they assisted so much in making it happen.

To each one, my heartfelt thanks.


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The Matriarchs Daughter

Once upon a bush-time on the banks of the mighty Zambezi

River in Central Africa there lived a family an elephant

family. Unlike the rest of the world they did not rush fromdawn to dusk. Here in the Great Zambezi Valley time seemed

to stand still as the days flowed one into another. It was likeheaven on earth. Here the elephant families lived in peace and

harmony with all Gods creatures. The green acacia forests and

the ancient baobab trees were an exciting playground andnursery for the new babies.

On this sunny African day in our story, the Matriarch, who

was the leader of the herd and the queen of wisdom andknowledge, had brought her herd to bathe, drink and splash in

the cool flowing river. The baby elephants were learning toswim. Their tiny trunks flopped around as the mothers of the

herd gently guided them from danger and deep water.

Little one, stay with the family! the Matriarch rumbledher concern as her little daughter splashed in the water.

Of course, Mama, squealed the little elephant.But look,I can swim!

She was a brave young elephant but sometimes she was

naughty and she had to be watched carefully. She made thefamily laugh with her antics and this is why they loved her so.

She was specialshe was the Matriarchs daughter.

Sometimes it was quite a job for her mother to look afterher little daughter because she was so full of life and had

bundles of energy. The Matriarch needed to take special careof her. The young one had passed her swimming lessons and

she wanted to wander off into the forest.Mama, please can I leave the water and go into the

forest? she asked her mother.


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Yes, you can, but dont go too far, the Matriarchanswered as she watched the rest of the babies. It will be dark

soon. You need to be careful.I promise I will, she replied as she left the water to

wander into the forest. Today she was even more excited than

usual because she was waiting to see her friend Circus, thePainted Hunting Dog.

Circus was her very best friend and always kept his word,

so she wondered where he could be. Had he come? Had shemissed him in all the excitement of splashing and playing with

the others in the river? She was rubbing her newly washed skin

on the rough bark of a nearby sausage tree and she had beenfeeding on the bright green leaves of the mopani tree. They

were tender and sweet and were the new leaves of the season.She was listening intently to the sounds of the forest. Then

came a voice she knew so well. It was Circus. He was there.Psst!Psst!he called. He had followed the herd for some

time hoping to talk to her.

Circus, are you there?

Whaa! Whaa! he answered, springing from the shadowswhere she had not seen him hiding.

You arehere! she trumpeted delightedly.Circus body was alive with excitement and he danced

around as the little elephant squealed her joy and happiness.How thrilled they were to see each other.

Of course it is I, he barked.Who else could it be?Told

you Id be here, didnt I?Circus had watched her coming andhis tail was wagging furiously in excitement as he began to

whirl about her, far too fast for her to catch him. Finally heflopped onto the ground, showing his silky tummy. Well, girl,

how have you been?

Ive been good well, kind of.Did you miss me?Circus asked with a grin.

The little elephant giggled, then pushed him with her

trunk. Youre such a chatterbox, Circus!I suppose I did, sheconfessed.


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Now, girl, I am quite serious. I have found the mostawesome secret place and we have no time to waste. Come,

follow me.Oh, I dont know, Circus. The little elephant shuffled

from foot to foot, indecisively glancing back at her bathing

herd. How many times had her mother asked her not towander? We have to get back before its dark or I am in big

trouble. Maybe we can see it tomorrow?

Chicken! Circus growled playfully.Come on, lets gobefore anyone comes!

Chicken? Chicken! Me a chicken? Im certainly not! Im

an elephant and not just any elephant. Im the Matriarchsdaughter, she thought to herself. But she could not resist a dare

and Circus knew it.Circus had always looked after her and he was a really

cool dog, so as quietly as a baby elephant could, she tiptoedaway from the banks of the river and followed him up and up

and up his mountain. Not only was he handsome with his

chocolate and gold dappled coat but he was certainly the

cleverest friend she could wish to have. They made their wayup the mountain as Circus began to sing his favourite song.

No need to fear when Circus is here.Ill show you the whole world, he boasted as he trotted

through the forest. Come on and hurry up! You are notscared, are you?

Scared of what? she thought to herself. Only old crocs

dinnertimes!Circus special place was way up in the mountain, and as

they made their way upwards the forest suddenly opened up infront of them. They stood there in wonder. The view was

breathtaking. They could look over the whole valley. How

lucky she was to have such a special friend in Circus.Look!Look, Circus, there is the river!She pointed with

her little trunk way down to the valley. She could see the river

making its way to the faraway ocean. The hippos werecavorting, diving into the deep water and coming up on the

other side of the river. She could even see the round huts


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Isazi

Peter had made his way down to the valley from his mountain

refuge. His missionary parents had given him that name based

on the Bible story of Peter, the Rock of Ages, but the familiesof the Tonga people called him Isazi, The Wise One. It was a

fine, fitting name indeed! Although he was over seventy yearsof age, his face was almost free of wrinkles and his skin was a

shiny bluish black. His beard and moustache was splashed

with white and he was a handsome man. He looked young forhis many years.

Isazi, the Wise One, is here! the villagers called one to

another. The baptism will be truly blessed!In the Zambezi Valley Isazi was unshakable and strong in

his belief in the wonders of his Creator. Although he seemed tobe a part of the people, he was separated from them by the

amazing miracles he seemed to perform.

Isazi loved the village people and they loved him too. Healways had a beaming smile and all the time in the world for

everyone. The dogs and chickens rallied around him, thechildren danced to welcome him and if the pots and pans had

legs, they would have joined in too! The wild animals were not

afraid of him and he loved them all. They would allow him tocome close to heal them they had no fear of the old man.

Isazi carried happiness on his shoulders and it was infectious.

Each day of his life he reminded everyone of whom theyshould thank for the blessings of life.

Today had been a special celebration because thewomenfolk had gowned themselves in white robes and had

been baptized in the Great Zambezi River. It was anotherAfrican summers day to rejoice in song and the beating ofdrums.

Earlier in the afternoon Isazi had been busy at his villagebush pharmacy by people from near and far seeking healing


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from his herbal remedies: from toothaches, tummy aches orbackaches to measles and chickenpox. All came to him for his

healing potions. In most cases, his herbs and potions from theforest did the trick and the people trusted him. Even tiny

babies stopped their crying when they looked into his gentle,

deep, dark brown eyes. If he could not help them he was wiseenough to send his patients to the medical doctors in the local

hospital so that they could do their part in helping to heal their

sick bodies and broken bones.It was now the cool of the evening and Isazi was in the

forest collecting his herbal remedies. He touched the ancient

baobab tree and spoke to it. You are well, old grandfather,he greeted the old tree as he touched the marks left on his trunk

made by foraging elephants. Isazi smiled softly to himself ashe thought of his dear friend the Matriarch of the herd. She

was his favourite elephant and he hoped to see her again.Could she be nearby, he wondered? How lovely it would be to

meet her again. He had not seen her for a while. Then he

nodded towards the sausage tree and spoke to it too. These

trees were his friends. They helped him to do his work. Whata wonderful healer of snake bites you are! he exclaimed.

Isazi had been healer, spiritual leader and general caretakerto the Valley for many years and was always accompanied by

a strange forest helper, a hornbill called Bird. Bird had a strongbeak and his job was to collect all the inaccessible berries and

leaves from the highest branches of the trees. But he had one

shortcoming he was a practical joker. Once, he disturbed anest of hornets just to see Isazi run. This had made the old man

laugh. It was good exercise for Isazi and he believed this kepthim young.

On this occasion, Bird suddenly fell from high up in the

branches of a Mopani tree to the forest floor. Isazi thought hehad been shot because he heard the sound of gunfire very close

by. He rushed to Bird in panic. This time the fallen hornbill

was not joking, Isazi told himself as he looked down at hisfriend.

Bird, Bird! Great Spirits of my fathers. Youve beenshot!


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As Isazi bent to pick him up, Bird opened one big,astonished yellow eye and winked. He was joking!

Who fired those shots? Isazi whispered fearfully. Whathave they done? He placed Bird in his coat for protection.

Suddenly he felt sick in spirit. He knew all about the horror of

war and the senseless, cruel damage of guns. Then he smelledthe scent of blood.

Danger to the valley. Isazi beware! an eagle cried as it

flew overhead. Beware!We must find out whats happened, little friend. Isazi

spoke quietly as he gently stroked Bird. His heart was heavy.

He could hear laughter and loud voices moving away. A bandof men were leaving. There was a sound of a motor vehicle

heading for the village. Bird struggled out of Isazis coat andperched on his shoulder. His wings were ready for flight

should the need arise. He too knew that there was terribledanger. Then, with a squawk, he rose on his heavy painted

wings to seek shelter in the highest branches of a huge acacia

tree.

Isazi stumbled as he entered the clearing in the forest andhe was heartbroken by what he saw. His dearest Matriarch and

her family herd had been killed. With an anguished shout hesearched for life in the silent bodies but he knew there was no

hope in saving them. To help, to heal, that was the way ofNatureIsazis waybut now he could do nothing for them.

He knelt by a bush, an old and broken figure, but through his

pain and grief he heard a persistent voice. It was soft and weakbut he recognized it well. It sounded like the Matriarch.

Isazi, Isazi, whispered the voice. Isazi, help me, helpme Sazi.

It was her. It was his dearest friend the Matriarch. Blood

was frothing from her trunk. She was dying. Isazi knelt besideher huge body.

Why? Why, Great Spirits? Why? The sight of his

beloved elephants killed for their greatest beauty, their tusks,was tearing him apart. Was there no price too high to pay for

the greed of men? Tears began to flow down his old cheeks.Who did this? he cried out.


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The Matriarch raised her trunk and weakly stroked Isazisface.

Man will always long for our tusks.Our greatest strengthis also our greatest weakness. Oh so much hurt and suffering,

she sighed. Please, wise friend, look after her... my baby.

Protect her. Teach her the ways of creation, the ways ofNature. I fear my time is short. She made a huge effort to

raise her broken trunk to test the wind. There was great

concern in her eyes. My baby she cried out.I promise I will find her, my friend, but I will do more!I

will avenge you all! I will

The Matriarchs wounded trunk gripped him as firmly asshe could.

No more violence and hate, my friend.They did not knowhow much harm they were doing to us. They dont know us

like you do. To them we are only dumb animals. We have toforgive them. They did not know the way of Nature and our

Creator but they may learn. Please promise to protect my baby.

I am weak and tired, old friend, and I feel I am leaving.

Although anger and revenge lay deep in his heart, Isazipromised her he would grant her last dying wish. As hard as it

may be, my dearest Matriarch, I will not take revenge on thesecruel men. I will grant you your wish. There will be no more

killing and hate. The Creator knows I will try not to hate.Isazi patted the elephants tear stained cheek. With His help I

shall find your baby. Her trunk let go and she sighed an

elephant sigh.How I love her. She is a beautiful child, Isazi. She is a

special child Thank youAnd with those few words theMatriarch coughed an elephant cough and bade goodbye to her

lifelong friend.

Isazi knelt close to her and gently caressed her huge head.He thought he saw through his tears her soul leaving to

elephant paradise beyond the rainbows end. He sadly

committed her body to the scavengers of the bush and thankedthe Creator for her life. The vultures were there circling above

in the darkening sky and the sounds of the scavengers wereclose.


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Dark was closing in fast as the moon was beginning toshine upon the family herd lying silent and still. They appeared

in the darkness of the evening like huge rocks in themoonlight. There was no sign of the Matriarchs baby and

Isazi thanked God she was not there. All he needed to do now

was to hope and pray that the Creator of this wonderful valleyhad somehow saved her young life and if so, He would protect

her.

He knew in faith that she would be found but for now thenoises of the bush warned him to leave the forest. The wild

animals were in search of food and his life was in danger.

Tomorrow he would make his way to his mountain refuge andawait news of the little elephant from the nature spirits. But

now he needed to leave the forest and make his way to thevillage.

In the southern skies a meteor fell, lightning up the dark. Itwas a warning that it was time for Bird to take flight to his

home across the river. Isazi looked one last time on the

Matriarch and with tears in his eyes he began to walk away.


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Nature Spirit

The little elephant and her friend raced down the mountain as

the moon rose behind them. In minutes they had reached the

elephant feeding ground. But there was a deathly silence. Itwas an eerie feeling. Not a nightjar or a cricket could be heard

and Circus senses told him something was terribly wrong.Ashe sniffed the night air he could smell that familiar sweet scent

of blood. The little elephant raised her trunk to try to catch the

scent of her mother.A cloud was partially covering the moon and it was quite

dark as the two approached cautiously. Circus crept as if

stalking prey. The moon drifted away to allow the starlit sky toshed its light on the elephant herd. The frightened little

elephant gasped in terror at the sight. There lay her family,silent and still. Her mother looked as if she was sleeping.

Mama! Mama! She nudged her mother with her trunk.

Mama! Mama, please wake up.Please, Mama. I promise tobe good. I will never be naughty again. Mama, please?

Circus looked on and sank to the ground as he cried a lowmournful howl. His friend was in panic and running from

mound to mound, trying to find life and rouse her family. She

trumpeted sadly but it seemed there was no one to listen. TheMatriarch and her herd were no longer living. She burst into

fresh weeping. She was a sad and lonely figure in the

moonlight.

What will Ido? she cried out.Where will I go?

Who will I love?Butwho will love me?

All was silent and still. She was alone. Circus looked on.He was unable to find words to comfort his dearest friend. But,


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somewhere in the darkness, although she could not hearanything yet, something was happening. Other eyes had seen

her, other ears had heard her. Other hearts ached with hers.As she looked through her tears, a tiny star began to shine

near her, close to her mother. Blinded by tears, confused and

forlorn, the sad little elephant imagined it could only be afalling star. But it was not. Circus watched warily. He too had

never seen anything like this. The light shone brighter until it

reached the size of a hummingbird. Light spread through thedarkness. Then it began to speak.

Dear little one, precious little one. I know you feel so

alone and sadbut you are not alone. Love is all around you! Iam not a star. I am Nature Spirit and I am here to look after

you.The star spoke, which puzzled the two friends. I havealways been close by, watching you grow, and I bade farewell

to your family when they left their earthly bodies to be withNatures angels. I promised your Mama I would look after

you.

Nature Spirits voice was so sweet, soothing and

reassuring that the little, orphaned elephant found herselfmoving closer to her healing light. How comforted she felt.

She could see now that Nature Spirit had a beautiful face. Shewas a picture of tenderness and love.

But why Nature Spirit, why? she asked softly. Her headdrooped and tears rolled down her tiny trunk.

So many questions, little one, and so many answers, but

not now. Nature Spirit flew up closer to her. Its time tomove away from here. I have a feeling some of the answers to

your questions will be revealed one day. For now, come,follow me and I will light your path.

With faltering steps the sad little elephant did what she

was told and followed Nature Spirit into a glade shining withlightas if Nature had expected to see her.

Circus watched her from behind a bush and remained

motionless. The forest was lit by hundreds of fireflies. Circusseyes grew bigger and bigger and they opened wider and wider.

His jaws dropped, showing teeth that to this day he had neverused in anger. He was in surprised shock and completely


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confused. Unusually for Circus, he did not know what to do orto say, so he looked on in total bewilderment.

There in the clearing ahead of them, next to Old Baobabwho looked down with his old grey eyes at the little elephant

he knew so well, there appeared a wild rambling rose. It was a

flower she had never seen before. It shone brightly in themoonlight. Being an inquisitive little elephant she moved

towards the old tree and got closer to the beautiful pink rose.

She smelled its perfume with the tip of her tiny, sensitivetrunk. She was enchanted. It was the most perfect flower she

had ever seen. How ugly she began to feel as she compared

herself to the beauty of this delicate flower.Oh, Nature Spirit, what is this? she inquired as she

smelled the rose and turned to Nature Spirit. She had neverseen anything like it. It is so beautiful and so delicate and how

lovely it smellscan I eat it?No, little one, Nature Spirit laughed.You cant do that.

Its a rose.But itsa magic rose.

A magic rose! What is that, Nature Spirit? What is

magic? Oh, how I wish I could be like this flower instead ofthe clumsy, unlovable creature I am, she wished sadly as her

tiny sensitive trunk caressed the flower. Then suddenlysomething sharp dug into her trunk. The thorns of the rose

bush had pricked her.Ow, that hurt! she exclaimed.

Then a strange thing began to happen to her. She began to

glow and glow and glow and as this began to happen to her shebegan to change. Circus found himself creeping up closer to

her. He was anxious.What is this? What is happening to me? she called out.

She was confused.

Now thats what we call magic, Nature Spirit repliedgleefully. There is your answer. The valley holds many

secrets, many powers that come when we need them most.

How lucky you are!In the glade something wonderful began to unfold and

Circus watched in awe. As lovely as his friend had alwaysbeen to him, he never thought that she could become more


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beautiful but, as the moments passed by, the little elephantbegan to change. Her eyes grew bigger and bigger and her sad

face was transformed as she began to smile an elephant smile.As she fluttered her eyelashes they began to grow. She looked

down at herself, then at Nature Spirit in wonder as her budding

tiny tusks began to grow too. Her sadness had gone. Shelooked around her in amazement. Eyes were peering out from

the forest. This had to be magic!

Nature Spirit was smiling brightly. We are all so happyfor you and if you listen to the wind in the trees, it has a

message to give to you. Can you listen? Nature Spirit looked

gently down upon her young orphaned baby elephant as sheflew closer. Can you hear it?

The trees swayed in the gentle breeze and softly the gladebecame quiet as Nature listened to the message the wind was

calling.Your wishes have been granted, young lady!The Creator

of the Valley has blessed you with the magic of the rose. You

are now a new little elephant and your name is Rosie.

Nature Spirit flew closer to the surprised little elephant.Dear, precious little one.I think your wish has come true

and the answer to your questions will come one day. But thereare a few lessons you need to learn first. Are you ready to learn

them? They are quite easy, you know. She smiled and shonein the moonlight even brighter than before.

Rosie was delighted with her new name and she was such

a happy little elephant. Dear Nature Spirit, I cant wait.Can Istart learning the lessons now?

All right you can, but can youconcentrate on what I haveto tell you?

Of course I can, replied Rosie.

You have now been blessed with love. You will learn thatwhere there is love, there is magic. All you have to do is to

love, even the unlovable, and then forgive, even the

unforgivable. Theres a power in the rose which you will cometo know, Nature Spirit assured the young elephant. And I

will always be there to help you. I have a feeling that you will


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pass those lessons with flying colours because you are a veryclever little elephant.

Rosie loved her name. She loved everything around her.She was happy and for the moment, all her sadness had left

her. She glowed brightly.

Oh, Nature Spirit, how lucky I am to have been given agift of magic. I am sure I can love everybody and everything.

She had so much love to share it was bursting out of her. I

love you all! she cried out to the glade.Even Grumpy, Rosie? asked Nature Spirit.

Grumpy? That was a hard question for Rosie to answer.

She had never liked the wounded and bad tempered oldbuffalo. Who could? You always had to be careful of what you

said and did around him or he would fall into a deadly rage.Remembering this, Rosie answered, she was sure she was

right.Grumpy the buffalo?No. How can you love him? He is

really hard work. He is always so angry and mean to everyone.

The animals fear his temper and his horns so he has no

friends, answered Rosie.Mmm, that is why you have the power of the rose.Its not

such a hard lesson to love the unlovable, you know. All youneed is a little understanding and compassion. If your tail had

been chopped off in a poachers snare you would also begrumpy... Would you not? Can you imagine losing your tail?

questioned Nature Spirit. Magic and love is for all, even

Grumpy.This made Rosie think. She pondered a moment. Her own

lovely tail twitched at the thought of Grumpys painful loss.It must be hard for him, agreed Rosie.Not being able to

swish away those horrid flies. Poor Grumpy, how annoying it

must be for him! Her heartbegan to swell with compassion. Itwas a new way of thinking. Maybe I can love Grumpy after

all. Id like to try.How surprised hell be!

Thats right, Rosie, even Grumpy can be loved if youthink of the ways of the rose and its magic. How about

forgiving those human creatures who took your family awayfrom you?


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How can you ask me to forgive them? Rosie answeredharshly. Her little ears billowed and she stamped her feet. I

never will! I will take revenge on them. I will avenge myfamily, I will I will find the Valleys secret weapon and

destroy them!

Ah, Rosie, you still have some way to go before you findout about the Valleys secret weapon.

Then Ill use all the magic I can to make them suffer.

No, I dont think you will, little one.That would be a bigmistake, replied Nature Spirit calmly.When I said goodbye

to your mother and your family herd she bore no hatred for

those ill-informed humans. They were taking orders from theWicked One and they believed your family were just dumb

wild animals. She forgave them with her last breath and shebelieved that one day they would learn that we are all one in

Creation. The Creator made us all. He gives us all the power tolove and to forgive even the unforgivable. Theres more power

in that than in anger.

Oh, no, Nature Spirit, I will not ever forgive humans!

With that exclamation something began to happen and theglow around Rosie began to fade.

What have I done? she cried out. Why am I losing myglow? I am losing the magic!

Yes, little one, that can happen, agreed Nature Spirit.But if you promise to try very hard to love and forgive it will

all come back.

With all the strength Rosie could gather, she made anotherimpassioned wish as she looked up at the starlit skies.

I know, dear Creator of all, that I am not a lovable littleelephant without the magic of your Rose. But please can I have

my magic back again and I will do anything I can to be good

and make you happy. I promise I shall try very hard to learn allthe lessons I need to know. Please dont leave me!I know if I

try I can do it.She felt truly sorry for her behaviour.

With that plea to the Creator Rosie began to glow evenbrighter.

Nature Spirit once again smiled in contentment.


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The forest began to cheer and sing. Circus could notbelieve his eyes or his ears and vigorously shook his head. He

looked at his friend again and saw not the naughty, clumsybaby elephant he had begun his adventure with but an elegant,

magical, beautiful young lady elephant called Rosie.

Rosie for the first time since entering the glade guiltilynoticed Circus. She gave him a wink he would never forget as

he shyly crept forward from behind Old Baobab. She hurried

to meet him and hugged him to her with her trunk. Circusyelped in surprised pain and Rosie giggled softly.

Oh, do forgive me, Circus! Her voice was sultry velvet.

I had completely forgotten about the tusks!I really do have tobe more careful in future.

The two had found each other again and Rosie sighedhappily.

The forest sang a lullaby of the trees and none of them sawthe fireflies leave. They were content with finding each other

and their long adventurous day had ended happily for the

sleeping friends.

What a wonderful magical night it had been.


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New Beginnings

Sam turned the small stone carved elephant over in his hands.

His African familys totem? What could a little boy from

England know of such things? All he knew was that theelephants were supposed to have long memories.

Uncle Max placed his hand over Sams trembling,clenched fists. The roar of the jumbo jets engines shook him

as it took to the sky. It was a bright winters day.Uncle Max

had come to take him to the country of his ancestors and wastaking care of him on the journey. Sam looked down on the

green fields of England. He was on his way to Asazi, the Far-

Away Land Grandmother Dee had spoken so much aboutbefore she died.

Are you sad, Sam? asked Uncle Max.Yes, I will miss my friends, Sam replied as he looked

down on the English countryside for the last time. The huge

aircraft climbed into the sky at high speed and soon they hadleft the coast of England and were flying over the ocean.

Sam looked at Uncle Maxs hand as it rested on his lap.Itwas warm and comforting but very black. Sam had been the

darkest child in his village. Uncle Max made him look pale.

Grandmother Dee often talked to me about the Far-AwayLand and I am excited to be going to see my Grandfather

Peter, but I am sad too.

The Far-Away Land? Uncle Max was confused.Asazi, replied Sam. She called it the Far-Away Land.

Sam fought back his tears. Big boys dont cry, heremembered his Grandmother Dee saying, and he certainly

was not going to start his life in Africa as a sissy. He would notdisappoint Grandmother Dee like that. He looked again at hiscarved elephant.

Elephants are beautiful creatures brave and lovingbutyou must not go near them, his uncle warned him. An

rosie the african elephant by janet kaschula

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