Immediately the zebra said that he felt a liquid drop on his mane between his eyes. He touched it to confirm what it is. It was a fresh blood”
“You are bleeding” Bara said. The giraffe raised his eyes to see.
“I am not. I have no wound on my head” zebra said.
Zebra raised his head up into the tree, to see if it is from there the blood dropped. The chimp too, Immediately, warm semi liquid poured on the zebra's face. That was shit. The chimpanzee first confirmed it was a Raven eating a carcass. Those around hastened to see the wonders he does with his long beak.
After cleaning his face, the zebra three stones on the raven and made her fly away leaving the carcass which fell immediately on the ground. It was an iguana. They were startled. The giraffe jeered at the zebra.
“That is perhaps their town crier” Someone in their midst said.
“For that shout right?”
“Exactly,..”
“Likely”
“No manners. Dedicating while eat” Bara said in detest.
“That ugly thing did not perch anywhere”
“I don’t expect that from her”
“Don’t you think what I think?”
“What do you think?”
“He’s probably going to report us as Intruders”
The zebra did not speak. He was quiet as if he was thinking about it.
“Look, I am sending danger. We better start shifting from here” Giraffe said.
“To where?” Asked chimp.
“Ahead of course. Any direction” said the zebra.
“Who said so?” Giraffe snapped. “I mean back to Greenwood. Let’s start now, the earlier the better, because if they meet us here they will feast on us”
“I can’t go back. Not now. That will be the biggest disappointment to just to you but also to my conscience. I will stand by our king in this mission even if I am the only one left on his side. I made up my mind to face anything before embarking on this journey. The gods too won’t fail us” said the zebra. Was supported by the chimpanzee.
“I don’t believe you are the one saying this after this two bad experience you have had. Just you alone, twice. Why are you not wise enough to know that more will come and you may be the one to suffer them most. I’m helping you. If things continue with you this way definitely you won’t make it to the end of this mission. We still have food and water, we can manage it home”
“Who allowed you to follow us?”
“Are you trying to say that me coming with you is a mistake?”
“Not a just mistake, it’s a taboo if you have come with us and all you can do is to discourage us, put fear and confusion in our minds. By the way, what’s your aim in this mission? Because you weren’t selected. You willingly volunteered to…..”
“Don’t say that again. I never agreed to this mission at first. The ugly chimpanzee must be under the influence of alcohol, if not mad to have thought of a thing like this. For nobody in his right senses would think of coming to a place as deadly as this. I see you are just scared to make a move in other not to be called a coward. If you don’t see my purpose in this journey, I see it. The gods made me follow you so I can speak for those who can’t stand for themselves and to tell you the right thing to do at the right time”
“Look lengthy one, you are saying rubbish and you know it. If it’s a joke you better stop it before you get yourself into trouble”
“Not here. This is not Greenwoods. Here nobody has power over anyone. You all are ordinary till you succeed returning to Greenwoods where you left your titles and powers, which is perceptibly impossible. For you are like every prey in front of its predator with no chance and hope for escape. I believe most of you are blindfolded with money, gifts and even empty promises to get you into this. However, it’s better for you. What about me? Can I boast of a promise for survival on this journey let alone of gifts and the others? Why don’t you pity the innocent poor ones going to die for nothing. What’s our own achievement? Are you not being heartless and selfish?”
“Is these all you've thought of us?”
“See, the king too is misled by his desperate desire to get his long-gone son back. If he had known what’s ahead he wouldn’t have come this far. Even his corpse will refuse coming here. You were suppose to be advising him not supporting him to go with his son. In this state of mind he is not okay. He can do anything nasty without knowing it. Or, oh! Is it what I’m thinking? Some among you want to bring him here and watch him killed so that you can take his place. What a greedy idea, from people perishing along”
“We are regretting over your coming, actually”
“I expect that from you. Why won’t you when I have just exposed your darkest pranks? I wish the king will heed to my words. Unfortunately, he won’t. Why because it’s from me and I am standing alone. Instead, he will see me as an enemy. I better save my face and life as quick as possible. Give me those you are giving me”
“What do you mean?”
“Select for me those to take me home”
“I’ve never been astounded that you are mad, but for the fact that your madness worsen at every seconds of your life. Such a bad upgrades. Do you always chew the wrong leaves?”
“What sort of question is that? I didn’t come alone and shouldn’t be going alone. I need companions”
“Oh I see. Arguing with you is the craziest thing I have ever done”
Giraffe sought for a companion but nobody accepted to follow him. He persuaded with lots of his tricky words and almost forced some to follow him which none did. He took his belongings and set off hoping that some would later change their minds and follow him. He lost into the bush countlessly turning to see who’s coming.
When it was calm and still the king suddenly arouse from his sleep sweating profusely. That was a clear description of a nightmare, but he couldn’t tell anyone. He looked stressed out, demanding to know if everyone was okay. All he needed to know was told, including about the giraffe, regarded as a kick on the king’s teeth. The gorilla did not speak on it. He was more concerned on how to move on with the remaining ones. He hurried them to get on their feet and move.
They faced the highest hill around so they could examine the environment from the top and figure out which direction to take. Reaching the cliff was a tedious task for the horses with the luggage the were pulling. They had to wait for them down the hill base, near the cart to secure the stuffs in it. The rest went up to take the view.
The king sighted a familiar object down the hill. As far as it was sighted it couldn’t be described but Bara recognized it. He excused himself to go and confirm it. They stood expectantly watching him run down the slope. Getting there it was exactly what he thought it would be. It was a jacket-like material made to be worn for protection. The king made it for the purpose of the aircraft. Nobody could tell what was going on but they were all certain that he discovered something. They gaped until he came up and explained.
“We are at the right place your highness” He announced smiling.
“I’ve always had this positive feeling about this journey” the king said happily. He continued. “Where will he be? How do we locate him? Which direction do we take?” the king could not withhold the urge to see his son. He displayed a juvenile behavior. “Let’s take any direction, I don’t care how long it will take. As long as it will lead me to where my son is. Or should we split?”
“No, your highness. I object” the chimpanzee said.
“Not good, right?”
“Not at all. Together. wherever”
The gorilla ordered the buffaloes to help the horses get the cart to the other side of the hill so they can proceed. As they went down the hill to execute the instruction, they saw something swaying in distance, lolloping towards them. They recognized the image. It was the giraffe. They burst into laughter. Those at the hill top joined them.
The giraffe hurriedly passed them that were pulling the cart and headed straight to the hill to meet the rest. Ignoring all their giggles and mockery. He regretted his deeds and showed repentance. The king did not speak to him. He quietly turned away but it was not difficult to see that he had nothing against the lengthy creature.
“Why were you running?” the secretary asked. The zebra and the rest who couldn’t stop giggling drew closer to hear him.
“I can’t believe what my eyes saw” the giraffe said still panting and sweating.
“What did your eyes see?”
“Where I was resting, I saw an animal in the tree above my head, lying on a branch very close to my head. It was either resting or sleeping. Same color and spots as mine. But, short legs, neck, and a long slim tail”
“Did it come after you?”
“I couldn’t wait till it comes after me”
“Why were you running? Are you scared of it?” the zebra asked.
“No, I am excited. I was running here to tell you, so that you too can go and see that spotted animals too exist here. Nonsense!”
The zebra did not find his answers insulting. The irony was amusing instead.
“This will be a good story to tell at home” This made everyone laugh. “Why didn’t you run straight home?” the giraffe found zebra's questions very annoying. But decided not to talk.
“You are lucky you still meet us here” Said the parrot.