Under the African Sky

by Mona Sehgal

  A few minutes into their ride, Oscar slowed the jeep.

  “Look at that,” he said, pointing straight ahead. Krishna and the other guests strained their eyes, but were unable to see what Oscar saw.

  “That’s a young lion,” said Oscar, able to spot the lion even though its tan skin was camouflaged by the dirt path. Finally, as they came within two jeep lengths of the lion, Krishna and the others saw it!

  Oscar stopped the jeep and turned the ignition off. “No loud noise,” he whispered to his passengers. “We don’t want to startle the lion.”

  The lion had his back turned to the jeep. He had a long tan tail tipped with black hair. As Krishna watched, he felt the lion’s tail was like an inverted question mark, as if asking the visitors, “Who are you? What are you doing here?” No one responded, of course, and the lion stopped and slowly turned his head around. Krishna shifted nervously in his seat as he saw the piercing eyes and hairy mane of the lion.

  “His mane is not very bushy,” whispered Oscar, “which means he is a young lion. Not quite three years old.”

  The lion crossed the dirt path, climbed atop a little mound, and sat down. He viewed the landscape majestically, looking down at the jeep and the passengers.

  “Are we too close to the lion?” asked an Italian lady in the front seat next to Oscar.

  “Don’t be afraid,” said Oscar. “The lion does not see you as individuals. He sees the whole jeep and everyone in it as one big animal.”

  “What is the lion doing?” asked Krishna in a whisper.

  “That’s what I am wondering,” said Oscar. “You see, lions usually wander in groups. But this one is alone. Maybe the head of the pride kicked him out.”

  “Why?” asked the Italian lady.

  “He may have challenged the authority of an older male,” Oscar said, “and lost the fight.”

  “What will he do now?” asked Krishna.

  “It will be very difficult to hunt alone. But he must hunt soon or he’ll starve,” said Oscar.

  Krishna realized he was no longer simply afraid of the lion. He felt a mix of awe, dread and pity. So strong, so majestic, and still vulnerable!

  In a few minutes the lion stood up, took a long stretch and was ready to go.

  “It’s time to hunt,” said Oscar. And the lion disappeared into the tall tan grass.

  Oscar started the jeep and had barely driven a few feet, when he spotted a zebra. It was standing under a tree, grazing on the dry grass.

  “Zebra!” Krishna shouted enthusiastically, as he gazed at the animal that looked like a strangely painted horse.

  Krishna half wished he could tell the lion that there was potential food right here. But as he looked at the innocent zebra, he felt guilty about suggesting it as food to the lion.

  The zebra looked up momentarily to scan for danger. More zebra appeared from the bushes and joined in the careful graze.

  “Like many animals, zebra also hang out in groups,” said Oscar. “When they are together, the entire group looks like one large pattern to the predator.”

  Krishna marveled at yet another adaptation of nature. He gazed at the zig-zag black and white pattern on a zebra. The harder Krishna stared at it, the more the pattern seemed to move.

  Oscar started up the jeep again, and drove in silence for what seemed to be a long time. Eventually he stopped again, and pointed out another animal. It was big and tall, and yet again only Oscar saw it.

  “Do you see that giraffe?” said Oscar, pointing and helping others distinguish the brownish block-like patterns on a slender long neck from the brown tree trunks that surrounded it.

  “Oh, yes!” said Krishna’s dad finally.

  Wow, even Dad couldn’t see the giraffe without Oscar’s help, thought Krishna, surprised that his super smart dad seemed a little lost in the wilderness.

  “Kris, look at those long eyelashes!” gushed Krishna’s mother, handing her binoculars to Krishna.

  Krishna saw that the giraffe’s large eyes were surrounded by long eyelashes that were as elegant as his mother’s. But the two long knobs on the giraffe’s head made her slightly comical. Krishna also saw the giraffe’s long black tongue scraping the leaves off the branches and efficiently delivering little green bunches into its mouth.

  Suddenly, a little giraffe appeared from behind the trees. He gave Krishna a long look, as if he was going to say something. Krishna leaned forward, interested in hearing another animal speak. But almost immediately Krishna looked away, realizing that he was not alone this time. The strong attraction to the little giraffe was broken as the jeep sped away.

  As Oscar continued to drive, everyone stared into the wilderness, trying to spot wild animals. The landscape seemed to play tricks on their eyes and ears. Was that an antelope or a dry log by the pool of water? Was that the wind rustling the tall dry grass or was it the body of a lion brushing against the grass?

  Krishna wondered about living in the jungle—as the predator, constantly worried about your next meal, and as prey, constantly on guard against the predator.

  “The animals are hiding from us,” said Oscar.

  Finally, Oscar brought the jeep to a halt by a big tree. “We will take a break here by this baobab tree,” he said. “It is hundreds of years old.”

  Krishna could not remember seeing a tree that was so old. It was an odd looking tree with a very thick trunk and stubby branches on top, like a tuft of hair.

  Krishna went close to the tree and tried to wrap his arms around it. The tree was like a giant, but there was something gentle and wise about it. Krishna pressed his right ear against the trunk. He heard a whirring sound as if thousands of wings flapped inside. It was a gentle flapping, like wings moving in slow motion dance. Krishna wondered what was inside that thick trunk.

  “Drinks anyone?” came Oscar’s voice.

  Krishna saw that the jeep’s tailgate was open to function as a table. There was an assortment of drinks on it—soda cans, beer cans, small bottles of wine, and tin mugs for hot beverages.

  With the sun almost gone and the air considerably cooler, Krishna thought a mug of hot chocolate would be perfect. At Krishna’s request Oscar started mixing cocoa powder and hot water. Krishna took the cup and walked to the edge of a nearby pond.

  “Look!” shouted the Italian lady suddenly, making Krishna jump and spill his hot chocolate. She was pointing in the direction of a little island in the center of the pond. Krishna squinted to see what she was pointing at.

  “That’s a crocodile” said Oscar.

  “A crocodile!” Krishna shrieked as he took a step back.

  “It’s good to be scared of crocodiles,” nodded Oscar. “Their jaws are very strong and can snap their prey in half. And they can run fast despite those short legs.”

  Krishna took two more steps back, and nearly fell over some stones. He spread his arms out to balance himself, and was suddenly facing the baobab tree again. He felt more stable and less scared, but more curious about what was inside that tree.

  “We should get going soon,” Oscar reminded the visitors.

  One by one, the visitors climbed back into the jeep. Krishna gave the baobab tree one last look before the jeep chugged back to life.

  Four

  THE BIG FEAST

  After the safari, all the guests gathered around the fireplace in the lodge. A bone-chilling cold had enveloped the jungle. Krishna was surprised at the vast difference in temperature between day and night.

  “Remember, Kris,” said his father, “when it’s summer in New York, it’s winter in South Africa because we’re below the Equator.”

  Just then the Italian lady walked in. “Ah, bellissimo!” she announced. “How good is the shower in the cold, no?”

  Krishna wondered if he too should make an excuse to shower. That would be a convenient way to see Broken Tusk again.r />
  Before Krishna could ask his parents, the lodge staff emerged from the kitchen. They were carrying trays piled with food.

  “Mmm, that smells delicious,” said Krishna’s father.

  “It looks delicious too!” declared the Italian lady.

  There was steaming hot potato soup to start the dinner. For the main course, the Italian lady ordered a stew made of gnu meat. Krishna felt a pang of sadness, wondering if it was the gnu he had seen earlier that day. He could not bring himself to eat any meat.

  “Can I get a vegetarian meal?” he quietly asked Wonder, who was hovering around Krishna.

  “Of course! I like vegetables too,” said Wonder with a mischievous smile. He disappeared into the kitchen, and within minutes reappeared with steaming plateful of food that he placed in front of Krishna. On a bed of flat noodles was a vegetable patty, topped with the most delicious sauce Krishna had tasted.

  By the time Krishna finished his meal he could barely move from his chair. His delight soon turned to dread.

  How am I going to stay awake for the ride with Broken Tusk? he asked himself. He thought about snuggling into his warm bed. Oh, I wish I didn’t have to give that up! It seemed a lot more inviting than riding an elephant’s leathery back in the cold, dark night.

  Once in their cottage, Krishna was hardly able to keep his eyes open as his mother made him brush

  his teeth. When he staggered to his bed and flopped down on it, his mother did not even bother to ask him to change into his nightclothes. She slipped off his shoes and socks, put a quilt over him and turned the lights off before quietly exiting the room.

  One by one the lights of each cottage went out. Soon darkness enveloped the lodge. Krishna was already fast asleep. But he had forgotten to leave the window open for Broken Tusk.

  Still asleep, Krishna thought he heard a knock. Was that Broken Tusk at the window? Krishna tried to push aside his blanket, but it felt heavy like a sheet of rock. Krishna was unable to get up.

  The knocking continued for a little longer before stopping. Then Krishna heard someone call his name. With much effort Krishna finally opened his eyes. His mother was sitting beside him.

  “Kris, wake up,” his mother said one more time.

  “Did I miss the ride?” Krishna asked suddenly, realizing that he may have overslept.

  “The jeep leaves in ten minutes, Kris,” said his father stepping into the room.

  “The jeep!” blurted Krishna, nearly bolting out of the bed. It was now morning, and he had missed his appointment with Broken Tusk!

  In a daze Krishna got ready and within minutes was out of the cottage. Wonder came with his flashlight, and guided them in the early morning darkness as they headed to the jeep for the morning’s safari ride.

  “Pay close attention and you will experience the magic of the jungle,” said Wonder, holding the jeep door open for Krishna to climb into the back seat.

  Krishna looked up at Wonder when he uttered the word “magic.” Did he know something? Did he know about the magic pond?

  Krishna had a sudden desire to talk to Wonder. But that would have to wait till they returned to the lodge. The jeep roared to life, rounded the acacia tree and headed off into the jungle.

  Five

  LAWS OF THE JUNGLE

  As Oscar drove along, he turned around to his passengers.

  “We are looking for night animals that are about to retire,” he said, “and day animals that will be starting their search for food.” Beyond the shrubs and trees, the rising sun was starting to chase away the darkness.

  Krishna was busy thinking about Broken Tusk as the jeep hummed along. How could I have slept through the night? he asked himself. What will Broken Tusk think?

  Suddenly Oscar stopped the jeep and got out. He walked up to a thorny brush and returned with something on his hand.

  “This is a chameleon,” he said calmly as he introduced the little green reptile perched on his fist. The Italian lady shrieked and almost jumped out of her seat.

  Although Krishna could not take his eyes off the chameleon, his mind was occupied with other thoughts. How can I see Broken Tusk again? Maybe another outdoor shower would help?

  Just then Oscar’s communication radio crackled. He talked hurriedly with someone and then said to the visitors, “If we drive fast, we may be able to see a cheetah.”

  “A cheetah!” everyone screamed excitedly.

  Oscar let go the chameleon and jumped back into the jeep. For the next few minutes, he drove like a madman. He took sharp turns and went so fast over the road bumps that the passengers risked getting thrown off the jeep. It did not bother the Italian lady though, who kept repeating, “Must see cheetah.” But Krishna found it impossible to think thoughts as he was being tossed around. His knuckles turned white with effort as he held on to his seat.

  After almost fifteen minutes of crazy driving, their jeep came to a stop next to another jeep on the trail. After a quick chat with the other driver, Oscar turned to the visitors.

  “The cheetah was here five minutes ago, then it went there.” Oscar pointed to the tall grass by the roadside.

  The visitors groaned at missing the chance to see a beautiful and rare animal. But Oscar continued, “If we follow the animal’s trail, we may be able to see it.”

  How are we going to follow an animal into the jungle? thought Krishna. We’re not going to walk into the jungle looking for a cheetah—are we?

  Before Krishna could ask, Oscar revved up the jeep, turned off the trail and into the bush and tall grass. He swerved to avoid fallen trees, but did not hesitate to drive over the bushes, which snapped as they scraped the bottom of the jeep.

  “I hope we are not driving around in circles,” Krishna’s mother tried to whisper over the roar of the jeep engine. The jeep made several bumpy turns as the passengers looked out for the cheetah. Finally, Oscar spotted it.

  The cheetah was walking ahead of the jeep, its padded feet quiet as the early morning. After a short walk, it sat down on a little mound. The jeep followed slowly. Oscar stopped within pouncing distance of the cheetah. Krishna’s heart began to beat faster, and he felt sure its pounding was the loudest sound there. There was complete silence, except for the gentle swishing of the grass in the morning breeze. The cheetah stretched out on the ground and rested his head on his shoulder. He looks more like a pet than a hunter, thought Krishna.

  “Cheetah is the fastest predator on land,” Oscar said softly to the group. “It can run at about 112 miles per hour.”

  “Wow,” whispered Krishna’s dad. “Kris, do you know how fast we can go on the New Jersey Turnpike? 65 miles per hour. This animal can run almost twice as fast!” Krishna imagined the cheetah running at top speed between the cars on the highway. How it would startle the drivers and passengers in those cars!

  “But despite being the fastest animal, other predators like lions often kill the cheetah,” said Oscar. “It’s a fight for food…for survival.”

  Krishna realized how tough life was in the jungle, even though it seemed calm and peaceful. He looked at the cheetah. It was sitting upright now, looking majestic in the golden sunlight. After giving the visitors yet another photo opportunity, the cheetah stretched one last time, climbed down from the mound and disappeared into the grass. Oscar started up the jeep and slowly drove back to the trail.

  Soon, Oscar brought the jeep to a halt near a dried-out pond. A leafless tree stood close by.

  “We’ll take a short break here,” announced Oscar.

  The visitors climbed out of the jeep and wandered nearby. A cluster of white bones and skull soon caught their attention.

  Oscar joined the group and picked up the enormous skull.

  “This is an elephant skull,” he told the group. “This elephant died of thirst a few months ago. It lay here a long time. You could smell the stench of its dead body
a long distance away.”

  Krishna was horrified. “Why didn’t anyone give water to the poor elephant?” he asked.

  “It’s the law of the jungle,” Oscar explained. “Only the fittest survive.”

  “But see, nothing goes unused in the jungle,” continued Oscar. “Other animals have already eaten the dead elephant’s flesh. Little by little, even these remaining bones will disappear because animals like hyenas will eat them. Everything gets used. Nothing gets wasted.”

  “I wish we could say the same thing about the city,” said Krishna’s dad. “We have these bulging garbage bags in every home. And so much of it gets dumped in landfills.”

  “Wow,” Krishna said, “maybe the city isn’t as efficient as the jungle.”

  Six

  THE LITTLE OASIS

  By the time the visitors returned to the lodge, the sun was shining brightly and the early morning chill had almost disappeared.

  The lodge manager greeted the visitors once the jeep stopped under the acacia tree.

  “Ee-yes, good morning!” he said cheerily. “Did you have a good safari?”

  “I hope you saw some big animals,” continued the manager as he led the visitors to the main lodge. “Breakfast is ready,” he announced once they were inside.

  Krishna stepped out to the wooden deck and looked across the river bed. “Did you see any elephants?” came a voice from behind. It was Wonder, who once again seemed to appear on padded feet.

  “No,” said Krishna. Did Wonder see me with Broken Tusk?

  “Do you know the—” Krishna paused as he looked at Wonder, “—the herd of elephants that lives close by?”

  “I have lived long enough in this jungle to get to know the animals here,” said Wonder. “The herd of elephants you mention lives very close to where I live.”