Molly loved going to the zoo. It was one of her favourite activities she did on weekends. Her mother loved taking her to the Montana Zoo. Her grandmother worked there as a zoo keeper.
“So, what animal do you want to see in particular?” her mother asked.
“mmmmmmm gorilla!” she said in reply.
“Why gorillas?”
“I want to learn more about them,”
“The sight of gorillas terrifies me,” her mother said.
“Why mum?”
“The way they look,” she said, “so dark and scaring.”
“No mum,” Molly said, “they are harmless animals.”
When they got to the zoo, Molly quickly ran to the part where the gorillas were found. She saw people running away from the gorillas. Children were screaming on top of their voices. Molly asked what the problem was.
“The gorillas are making so much noise and breaking things!” said one man.
“They are rioting said another,” said another.
Molly was not afraid. She wanted to know what was wrong with her favourite animals. She got closer and saw the animals crying. One of the gorillas signaled to Molly to move closer. When she moved closer, she was surprised that one of the gorillas could talk.
“Hello,” said the gorilla.
“Heee…..lo,” Molly said reluctantly.
“My name is Keza,”
“Not Vicky as on your name tag?” Molly asked.
“No, that’s not my name,” Keza said.
“Hello Keza,” Molly said.
“I need your help, Molly,” Keza said.
“What can I do for you?”
“I need to go back home,” Keza said, “my people need me.”
“Where is your home?” Molly asked.
“Rwanda, in Africa,”
“Why do you need to go?”
“I am a princess in my village,” Keza said, “I need to lead my people as their future queen.”
“But how did you come here?” Molly asked.
“I was abducted by the people here,” Keza said, “now I need to go back home.”
“Why me?” Molly asked, “can’t you ask the grown-ups?”
“Only you can understand our gorilla language,” Keza said, “the rest of the people cannot understand us”
“Ok,”
“Come closer so I can tell you our plan,” Keza said.
All the gorillas had stopped making noise and were listening in as Keza talked to Molly. The people on the other side were surprised that Molly had managed to calm the gorillas down. Her mother was shocked at what her daughter was doing.
****
The following day, Molly went to see her grandmother who was the zoo keeper. She was doing everything according to the plan.
“Hi granny,”
“Hello pumpkin,” her grandmother replied.
“Came to help you clean the house,”
“That’s thoughtful of you,” granny said, “Just clean up as I take a nap.”
“Ok granny,” Molly said, “I will go back once I am done.”
When her granny went to take a nap, Molly quickly cleaned the house. When she had finished, she packed some of granny’s clothes, make-up kit, passport and the zoo keys.
****
Back at the zoo, Molly and the other gorillas helped Keza to put on granny’s clothes and make-up. Keza wore a long pink dress, brown hat, dark sun-glasses and a face mask.
“Keza, you look like Molly’s grandma,” said one gorilla.
“Now, walk like a human being,” said another.
After practicing how to walk, Keza and Molly were ready to go. It was 21 hours in Monatana when the two were ready to go. Molly booked an online taxi to the airport using her grandmother’s phone. The taxi took them to the airport where they boarded a plane to Africa. She used her grandmother’s credit card to book a flight to Rwanda.
On the plane, Keza pretended to be sick and slept the whole way. She kept quiet to avoid people noticing that an animal was on the plane.
After a long flight, they arrived in Rwanda. Molly booked a taxi to take them to the game park. The driver took them there. When they arrived, Keza removed the clothes. She was happy to be back home. When the driver saw that, he ran out of car screaming on top of his voice.
Keza then led Molly to her jungle. The gorillas were happy to see that their princess was back home.
“Welcome Home, Princess Keza.”
___
Moses Tololo is a Zambian writer who has a passion in literary and children’s stories in particular. He hopes his stories will help in improving literacy in children as well as develop love in children for the continent of Africa. He has published a children’s book ‘The Tree of Life’ which highlights the need to plant trees for our survival.
Read – Umwari – A Children’s Literature by Varnessa K Varlyngton – Nigeria
Moses , your story has touched my heart! The gorillas you mentioned actually exist in Rwanda and people for the Gorilla Safari there.
A fun filled story for all!
Keep writing and keep sharing! Thanks