“I see them Yohannas, right there! But what if they see us too?”
“They won’t Mamo, not if we stay quiet. So stay quiet Mamo…please.”
The two brothers huddled closer together, and as the chill of the evening air descended around them, it sent a shudder down their backs. By now it was no longer a matter of it being just uncomfortably late. No, that would be to understate just how very dangerous the remote plains could be at night, especially for such young elephants so far from the family herd.
Perhaps for once it hardly mattered that Yohannas was the elder of the two; he felt just as scared as Mamo, if not more so. Yet glancing down and across to his right he could see his little brother, eyes tightly shut and holding his breath, and then he understood that Mamo would be lost without him. Of course, yes, he was still angry with him, but that was not so important anymore. Besides, the chances were the shadowy figures in the distance would simply pass by and disappear into the night.
“We should never have come this far,” Yohannas sighed to himself. “I really don’t know why I let myself be talked into this. I knew we would never find it.”
Certainly this was not the first time Yohannas had been prepared to come along for one of Mamo’s little ‘adventures’. Mamo had this incredible way of making his ideas sound so exciting, and anyhow, Yohannas knew it was always best to come along if only to keep an eye on him. This time he had promised he would travel as far as the water’s edge, near to the place where the tree was to be found, but no further.
Oh yes, ‘the tree’. If Grandpapa’s stories were to be believed, a tree as ancient and unfathomable as time itself. Tales of it had always been passed down from generation to generation, and many had gone in search of it in great hopes of unravelling its mystery. But could it really be true that this indeed was the first tree ever to grow in Africa? Grandpapa was convinced that it was, but further still, the various legends of old would suggest that it was from this very tree that ‘life’ itself, in all its abundance, “flowed forth like fresh water in the desert.”
“Those who find it,” he once said, “They become a new creature.” Yet, strangely, Grandpapa had chosen never to fully reveal whether he had in fact found the fabled tree all those years ago. He was only Mamo’s age when one day he had set off to wander afar, curious to follow the path of his own grandfather, who had so suddenly left the plains to go down into the valley. The oldest elephants always seemed to leave without a word. But Grandpapa had decided to follow, despite not knowing exactly where he was headed. Yet somehow he had been assured by something inside that had spurred him onwards. And now the same spirit that had led Grandpapa out in the wilderness was burning strong in the heart of Mamo.
As for the valley itself, surely this was no place for the living? The animals who grazed not far from it always warned of the unbearable heat that deterred them from venturing any further. Clouds of thick dust choked the vast and barren wasteland, and though they never spoke of it, elephants knew they were all destined to make that wearisome journey once in their lifetime. That is, in the final days, in the winter of their years, when they are too old to enjoy the treasures of the Earth anymore. And so one day they leave the herd, returning to the dust to lie down in the valley of bones where their forefathers await them. Mamo strongly believed that his Grandpapa had seen this place with his very own eyes. But, also, he had been told of the great expanse of water that supposedly lay beyond it, and so too the story of the tree.
In truth, ever since the day Mamo had heard of it, his mind had been filled with dreams of uncovering its great mystery. He had so wanted to escape the slow pace of his humdrum life with the herd, yet now his only longing was to be back in the sanctuary of his family. The warm glow of the beautiful sunset he and Yohannas had so enjoyed earlier in the day seemed but a distant memory in contrast to the bleak darkness that now surrounded them. To think they could have found the elusive tree after just one day’s trek was perhaps a bit too optimistic. Yet to their credit, they had indeed managed to reach the end of the plateau by nightfall. And so it was that Mamo and Yohannas found themselves perched alongside one of the crumbling verges overlooking the great Danakil Valley. But they were not alone.
Unknown shadows in the distance were shifting closer and closer, and now only a small ditch in the earth could mask them with any cover. Unfortunately for these two brothers, elephants had never been famed for their hiding abilities.
“It’s getting so cold Yohannas. I don’t like it.”
“Quiet now Mamo! They’re coming.”
The unwelcome sound of approaching footsteps dispelled the quiet of the desert air.
“Poachers, Mamo. Bad men!”
“Poachers?” whispered Mamo. Yohannas kept silent.
Just then two figures appeared near the overhang of the valley perimeter, each bearing a wooden rifle. The shroud of darkness continued to conceal all their features, and they exchanged no words between them. Now only a stone’s throw away, all of a sudden Mamo lost his footing and slipped back. The dark thieves of the night flinched abruptly, stopping dead in their tracks.
A strong light pierced through the blackness, blinding the two brothers. The deafening crack of a gunshot ricocheted out over the precipice. As Mamo closed his eyes, Yohannas went to charge, but he too slipped back and fell. Worst of all, as he struggled from off the ground he happened to lose sight of Mamo.
Two more shots tore up the night sky; the smell of lead fumes fuelling the hunters’ lust. But then, just as suddenly, there came the sound of something like a mighty thunder. With their widening eyes lit up in terror, one poacher called out to the other before they both shrieked out in unison, and turned and ran.
“Hello, I’m here!” cried Mamo.
Yohannas could feel the relief wash over him. Yet as the night air settled around them once again, he sensed that the returning silence was an uneasy one. Mamo also knew that something inexplicable had just happened. However, Mamo was no longer afraid.
“Thank you, sir! Thank you, thank you.” Mamo instinctively knew that there was someone there. As Yohannas joined his brother’s side he glared nervously at the stranger. All they could see were the trails of steam that poured from its nostrils. And then it spoke to them.
“I once had a brother too.”
It was a black rhino. Yohannas hesitantly took a step back.
“Come now Mamo, we must go. Thank you, stranger.”
“But he helped us, Yohannas!” Mamo implored.
“Enough now, I am sure he does not wish to talk to us. We should go.”
The rhino stepped towards them. “I guess you’re looking for the tree?” Yohannas paused, but Mamo leapt forward, “Yes, yes…is it here?”
“I believe it is; but only a few have ever found it. I mean, many have tried. Even I, but my eyes have yet to see it.” Mamo sneaked a look into the eyes of the black rhino.
“Our Grandpapa once said that the tree stands by a river, but surely that’s impossible.”
“Hmm…Why do you say that it is impossible?” enquired the rhino.
“Because the valley is a place full of dust and bones, and its lake is dark and empty.”
“But what if we sometimes need to pass through these places to reach our true destination? All I can say to you is this; I was once a creature full of bitterness and anger, but the day came when something changed inside me. And so I say to you, if ever you do come upon such a lake that so hinders your journey, you should swim in its waters!” And with that he stopped and turned, leaving the brothers to ponder his words as they stood side by side.
Whether by foolish means or not, Mamo and Yohannas had already come so far. If they could descend the valley without delay they might still make it back up to the plateau before the heat of the day would overpower them. And besides, a new day was dawning. On the horizon, colours of violet and indigo were now visible in the shimmer of the morning light. Looking up, the view was stunning. Yet the brothers were also faced with a narrow and winding path that dropped sharply down into the valley.
It took a while, but sooner than they had expected they reached the place of bones, deep within the valley. However, they only paused a short while to marvel at the sight of it. Actually, what was surprising was how this really was not such a frightening place after all. As Mamo looked up at Yohannas he could see that he was deep in thought. It was then that he realised Yohannas could see the water in the distance. But the strangest thing was how the lake was so much closer to home than he had ever imagined it would be, and possibly the tree as well? Hence, before they really knew it Mamo and Yohannas arrived at the water’s edge. This time it was Yohannas who broke the silence.
“Ok Mamo, you know how I feel about water. I promised you I would take you this far, and I have done so. I hope you understand.” But if anything, Mamo’s face showed only a look of utter confusion. The water before them was lifeless and stale; the whole lake looked stagnant and rotten.
“This can’t be right,” said Mamo, “It’s horrible!” And it was true; it was horrible. Meanwhile, Yohannas felt completely helpless as he could see the doubt taking over his brother, the burden of it steadily quenching the light in Mamo’s eyes.
“Listen to me Mamo; my brother; my friend. I want you to trust the words of the rhino, because I see now that he came as our guardian and messenger. I know it may sound foolish, but you really must pass through this lake; you who can swim so well. And, you shall do so without any fear.” Yohannas waited for him to respond.
Then Mamo closed his eyes and stepped down into the water, and he simply began to swim towards the centre of the lake. Truthfully speaking, it was hard for him to swim through it, since it was a lonely experience. Mamo turned to see if he could still see Yohannas in the distance. For sure, he was still there, waiting for him at the water’s edge. But then Mamo began to feel faint and his vision became blurry. Before long he was just drifting in the water, his legs having become lifeless. And as he sunk down into the lake it seemed he was no longer with us. Yes, he had trusted his brother's words, for Yohannas was also his best friend. But right now Yohannas was so far away.
The body of Mamo continued to drift down into the still water. But then it all changed. Fresh water began to flow around him and under him. Mamo opened his eyes and saw. And when he looked up he could see the sunlight and a clean glassy roof over the lake. The water was like pure energy as it soared around him. Then as he broke through to the surface two red-coloured leaves came to rest on the water behind him, but he missed it unawares as his gaze was now fixed on finding his brother.
Up on the shore, Yohannas was still waiting. Therefore, as loud as he could, Mamo cried out to him.
“Yohannas! My brother and my blessing! Come into the water. You must come!” He had to catch his breath. “I believe now, and do so without any doubt. And Yohannas, I have also seen your courage. It is waiting for you here in the water!”
Yohannas had been too far away to see him, but he had heard every word. Yet hesitating, he just stood there, looking down at the murky water. But after a little while he looked up again, certain that he could hear Mamo laughing and yelling out on the lake. Suddenly his eyes were drawn to the sky above him. The sky today, he thought, was the most brilliant colour of blue anyone could ever imagine. It really was a new and beautiful day.
Looking ahead, Yohannas sighed and then smiled as he thought about what it might feel like to be Mamo, just for one day. And so he closed his eyes tightly, held his breath, and slowly made his way down into the water. As he did so he was confident in his heart that he was sure to find Mamo out there waiting for him – waiting for his brother to lead them home again; always trusting that Yohannas would be there to watch over them both, all of their days.
