by Shaheen Darr

Created on: November 27, 2008   Last Updated: October 27, 2010

The story of Tembo

Tembo was born on the grasslands of Africa, part of a large herd of elephants that had seen many seasons come and go. He was lucky to have been born at a time when nature had been kind and there was enough food to eat for all. Tembo would try and eat from the tallest trees competing with the older elephants. He knew his trunk was growing fast and he would show it off by swinging it as he walked. just like his father used to do what seemed a long time ago.

His mother was in charge of the herd now and when she trumpeted the whole herd listened. She kept a close eye on Tembo and did not allow him out of her sight. Tembo enjoyed defying her and would try and wander off further than the rest of the herd. Her loud angry trumpet would bring him right back and he knew not to get her too angry. Today however, the green trees in the distance looked particularly tempting and Tembo yearned to explore and find out what lay beyond them. He had heard stories of strange animals that lived there and while these stories scared him they also sounded very exciting.

Tembo started wandering further and further from the rest of the herd while his mother enjoyed her mud bath in the water hole. Before long he approached the clearing before the green trees. He saw something move amongst the trees, a two legged creature he had never seen before. This creature moved very fast among the tees and seemed to be looking straight at Tembo. He remembered his mother talking about a two legged creature called "man" who killed elephants for their teeth. There were many stories of how elephants had been found with their magnificent teeth missing. Tembo's own teeth had only started growing and Tembo shivered as he thought of someone pulling his teeth out! No man was going to take his teeth away from him if he could help it.

Tembo started running away from the clearing back towards the thicket where he had left the rest of the herd. He ran as fast as his stubby little legs could carry him and while running he let out a sharp trumpet to let his mother know where he was. A sharp sound went past his head and he felt something burn the side of his ear. Tembo knew he was in danger and he had to hide fast or this creature would get him.

After running for what seemed like ages Tembo arrived at the waterhole where the herd usually got together for a drink or a swim. He heard his mother's loud trumpet and he ran straight towards her. The rest of the herd gathered around him to comfort him while he told his mother what had happened. She put her trunk around his body and checked out his ear that was bleeding from whatever the creature had thrown at him. Before long she signalled for the herd to move on. They were in danger in this part of the forest and it was time to move on where no "man" could reach them. One loud trumpet and the whole herd followed her, young and old.

Tembo knew that he was safe for now but the close shave with death made him realise what his mother said was right. They had to stay together as a herd and the mystery of what lay beyond the trees had to remain what it was, just a mystery. As the sun set on the plains the elephant herd disappeared into the thick, dark African jungle. In the distance, the two legged creature sighed as he watched from afar, he had missed his chance this time, next time they wouldn't be so lucky.

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