Nestled in a bed of leaves, a little girl with fair skin, wearing a blue loincloth and tangled blonde hair, stirs as the forest awakens around her. Beside her, a family of gorillas sits quietly, their dark fur blending into the shaded undergrowth. The gentle matriarch, Mama Goma, nuzzles the girl’s cheek, and she giggles, her laughter mingling with the sounds of the wild.
The girl swings from a low branch, her limbs strong and sure. Mama Goma grunts encouragingly, and the younger gorillas clap their hands, eager to mimic her daring movements. She grins at them, her blue loincloth swaying, and then dashes off to chase a bright blue butterfly, her laughter ringing out.
She crouches, turning the locket over in her small hands, fascinated by its smooth metal and faded engraving. Mama Goma ambles over, watching with deep-set, gentle eyes. "What is this, Mama?" The gorilla tilts her head, uncomprehending, but offers a comforting pat.
Kovu, the silverback gorilla, beats his chest and roars, sending birds shrieking into the air. The girl clings to Mama Goma, wide-eyed but trusting. The leopard hesitates, then slinks away, vanishing into the shadows, leaving the family in a hush of relief.
The girl leans against Mama Goma, feeling the steady rise and fall of her chest. She fiddles with the locket, its mystery lingering in her thoughts, but her heart is full. "I love you, Mama," she whispers, and the gorilla responds with a soft rumble, pulling her close.
In her dreams, she glimpses faces she cannot remember, voices that echo softly. But when she wakes, it is Mama Goma and the gentle rustle of leaves that greet her. The jungle is her world, and with her gorilla family, she feels safe, loved, and whole.
