Page 49 - Dark Matter Issue5 Part II

by a small tree, we were already directly in his path and he knew it. There were

moments when we felt his love for the tree in the manner of the Elephants in Mashatu

and we were simultaneously aware of his comedic threat to topple it upon us. Still, we

remained quietly.

Sometimes when he approached, there was a divide between the Damaraland guide’s

experience and training in caution and my own deep conviction that we were safe and

needed to yield to the bull’s leadership not our fears.

So many minutes passed. It felt like hours or days. Soon he began walking again and we

assumed he was leading us out of the valley toward the desert and the mountains.

But, unexpectedly, he entered a thicket and virtually disappeared. We waited and waited,

agreeing among ourselves that we would wait no more than twenty more minutes. When

the time was almost over, he emerged so dramatically he seemed angry to everyone in

the truck. Believing we were completely safe, I begged them to be still and not startle

him by turning on the engine. I had been speaking to him in my mind, explaining that this

was our last night, actually our last hour, and had pleaded with him to come out as a sign

or confirmation of the connection we were all feeling. And so, yes, he emerged.