The Baby’s First Steps Into Danger
The baby elephant had only just learned how to steady itself on wobbly legs, exploring the savanna with innocent wonder. The herd moved steadily on their usual path, from one watering hole to another, guided by an ancient matriarch. His mother stayed close to a towering bull, occasionally brushing her trunk against her child as if to remind him: I’m here.
But curiosity was stronger than caution. While the adults dug for roots and stripped leaves from acacia trees, the baby spotted a bright butterfly dancing in the tall grass. With ears flapping joyfully, he gave chase—trumpeting, tossing tufts of grass, and barreling after it.
By the time the butterfly vanished, the world around him had changed. No herd. No comforting shadows of massive bodies. Only endless golden grass, stretching into silence. Fear tightened in his belly.
