The following was an exercise to write a story about a fictional safari, Please excuse my bout of whimsy.
~~~~~
I never meant to end up in the middle of an African jungle, but it happened all the same. Actually, I was in a helicopter doing aerial shots when I fell out of the darned thing. We had removed the door to facilitate the photo shoot, and I leaned out too far.
Well, after quite a bit of screaming, I landed in a tree, way up in the branches and shimmied down to the ground.
I landed, frazzled, to find an enchanting place. I breathed deep, seeking some source of relief in gulps of fresh air. The fragrance of moist earth soothed my shattered nerves. I must admit, however, to feeling alone and frightened in the dark, thick jungle. I could hear the squawks and cheeps of birds and other animals, but they seemed like something to be wary of rather than happy about.
I had plopped down on the dirt floor of the forest when I heard leaves rustle in the trees above. Suddenly, I felt hot water rolling down my cheek. It smelled. Then I realized it was pee!
'WHAT THE HECK!" I screamed. I looked up to see a chimpanzee in the tree above me. He was a cute little fellow with an impish face and tiny hands and feet.
"What do you think you're doing?" I asked, hardly expecting an answer.
"Sorry, Miss! I didn't see you down there!"
I stared at him in disbelief.
"What are you looking at?" he asked.
"Well, I dunno. Are you really a monkey, talking to me, or maybe I'm delirious with a jungle fever or something…"
"I speak! I learned it from Jane Goodall when she was here. She asked me to not tell anyone, but well, you startled me and I forgot."
"Oh." I answered.
"Say! Where are you from?"
"I'm from America. I guess you are going to say Jane told you all about it."
"Yep. Say, could you take me home with you?"
"WHAT!"
"Take me to America! Before we go, I'll give you a tour of the jungle in exchange."
We spent that night in a tent made of branches and leaves my little friend gathered for us. He brought me bananas and coconuts for my sustenance; but more importantly, he provided much needed camaraderie.
"Do you have a name?" I asked.
"Nah! Jane tried to explain to me what that is, but I never understood."
"It is just a sound to use to call one another. My name is 'Jo,' for example."
"Hmmph!"
"Look, I know you don't find this interesting, but may I just call you 'Coco' for the coconuts you bring."
"Sure…er, Jo."
The next day we hiked along the river, and Coco pointed out many species of birds and animals. I marveled at the river. It was like a ribbon of blue twirling beyond our sights, adorned with a border of green canopies of leaves. The sounds and colors of the jungle were far removed from the clang and bang of the city life I knew. By comparison, being there was a quiet and spiritual experience. Hence, Coco, my outlandish friend in the person of a chimp, seemed normal at that time and place.
As we sat in our tent the next night, he quizzed me about civilization.
"So what do people do all day in civilization?"
"Well, we go to work."
"Work? What's that?"
"It is making or doing something in exchange for money."
"What is money?"
I paused to think, "It is like bananas."
"Do you mean you have to do stuff for other people to give you bananas?"
"Well, figuratively speaking, of course. Actually, we don't eat that many bananas. We eat a lot of vegetables and meat."
"Vegetables?"
"Yes. Brussel sprouts and foods like that."
Coco pondered the brussel sprouts, crossing his legs as he sat and cupping his chin in his hand. Finally, he spoke.
"I think maybe I will stay here in the jungle. If I were you, I'd stay here with me. Do you really like brussel sprouts?"
Actually, I do not. Nonetheless, I knew the answer I had to give.
"Sorry, Coco! I can't stay with you."
The city is my jungle, you see. That is where I belong, working to earn my bananas, just like any other chimpanzee.
HI-larious!!! Thanks for my grins for today. My dream is to go on a photo safari...hope I get to take one in my lifetime, and I hope I have as much fun as you did!! :) Great writing!!
Reviewed by
4/27/2002
I thought it was absolutely adorable! I loved it and I love your sense of humor. I really enjoyed this write and thanks for the laughs!
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