9780008390662

team elephant
“Hurry!” Ruby cries.
The elephants bend lower, moving like a giant elephant shovel.
“Where is she?” Masika asks.
“Lower,” says Akello. “Lower, sisters!”
“There!” Ruby yells. “No . . . wait! There!”
“Up!” Akello commands, and the interlocked trunks rise from the muddy
water to reveal a tiny, trembling baby gorilla, sitting in their makeshift sling.
“Kudzoo,” says Akello, “stay calm, baby. We’re gonna toss you to safety,
okay?”
Kudzoo gives a little nod.
“On my count,” says Akello, “start swinging. One, two, three!”
Up and over go the trunks, and up and over goes Kudzoo. She lands with a
little plop on the gorilla side of the moat, right next to Masika’s rear legs.
“Good work, everyone!” says Akello. “And good thinking, Ruby!”
“Th-thanks, elephants!” says Kudzoo, wiping mud from her eyes. “That was
fun. Can we do it again?”
Akello takes a deep breath. “Maybe later, sweetheart.”
Quickly I make my way back over the moat. “Kudzoo,” I say, “follow me.
Let’s go find your ape peeps.”