Hello lovers of mother nature and its enchanting musings… It's been quite a rollercoaster ride of wild chases, inevitable slips and the odd insect nibbles these past few days. I've taken up the delightful task of observing and documenting the ways of the majestic Asian elephant. As is my eccentric custom, I have lovingly bestowed this magnificent beast with a moniker that sparks joy in my whimsical heart – Tumbly!
Ah, the venture to locate our beloved Tumbly was nothing short of theatrical. Nestled deep within the verdant shroud of the Southeast Asian jungles, in an area gayly adorned with tropical flowers, the signs of Tumbly's routine were plainly seen. Broken tree branches, and a well-worn path of crushed flora, painted a tale as old as time – Elephant Walks Here.
With my trusty binoculars, Crispy Crunch (which admittedly sounds more like a breakfast cereal than an observational instrument), and my notes, I began my intimate surveillance of Tumbly. I've always relished this, the extended periods of quiet observation, away from human trappings, where life dances beautifully to its natural rhythms.
Day one dawned bright and early with Tumbly just finishing her morning bath. She emerges trudging through the tranquil streams with droplets cascading down her mighty form like miniature silver streams. Tumbly lovingly tosses frothy buckets of rainwater over herself, a joyous bath ritual spectacular to behold.
About breakfast time, Larry the lemur makes his comical appearance – a regular in the life of Tumbly. Larry, with his dramatic leaps and twirls, often plays jester to Tumbly's queen. I observe – or rather imagine- their absurd indulgences, believing I've become proficient in discerning their silent chatter. Larry, with a wicked twinkle in his eyes, probably daring Tumbly to try climbing trees, knowing very well her bulky majesty's gravity-bound predicament.
The noon was a slow, lazy affair. Tumbly reclined beneath the cool tapestry of the forest, her eyes half-closed, ears leisurely wafting away invisible pests. Larry, exhausted from his earlier exploits, snoozed precariously on a nearby branch, their tranquillity mirrored the controlled slowdown of the human world in the face of siesta.
Late afternoon saw Tumbly gracing the forest floor with her elegant presence with plodding steps, her leisurely perambulations like the subtle sway of a dancer lost in the music. A few deer pranced away at her approach, and Peppy, my name for the sprightly peacock who often parades before Tumbly, desperately tried to impress her with his vibrant plumages, perhaps initiating a courtship that was doomed to falter. Tumbly only responds with a soft rumble, indulging in an eye roll that would make even the sassiest of teenagers proud.
As the sun dipped below the emerald horizon, Tumbly headed towards the water's edge. The twilight painted an ethereal glow on her worn, yet resilient, hide, as she drank from the fresh, bubbling brook. The soft hooting of an owl floated through the dense foliage, soon echoed by the mysterious whisperings of the night. Tumbly seemed to listen, a secret conversation, or a lullaby perhaps, that softly lulled her into the shadowy realms of dreamland.
For two whole days, this elaborate dance of nature continued unabated, breathtakingly same and yet, enchantingly different. This sense of tranquil monotony is something that city-dwelling humans have lost, and oh, what a loss it truly is!
This journey into the heart of wilderness – a tryst with Tumbly, Larry, Peppy and the other voiceless neighbors, has been more than just studying their lives. It's about feeling their heartbeat, hearing their silence, and understanding their subtle, yet significant, dialogues. It's about embracing the improbable fact that a whimsical writer can assign human antics to wildlife in an attempt to bring them closer to you.
Until we journey again…. Stay wild!
