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{*Did you know you can write on Elephant? Here’s how—big changes: How to Write & Make Money or at least Be of Benefit on Elephant. ~ Waylon}

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*Editor’s note: the below is fiction. It’s not real. But it’s true. Life is but a dream. May it be of benefit! Contribute your fiction here: elephantjournal.com/post

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Coexistence with animals, aquatic life, and forest ecosystems is essential to human survival.

Humans tend to believe we are the centre of the universe and that all other beings and natural spaces exist to serve us. We view them as “resources”—that are there for fulfilling our needs and wants, to be exploited.

I have contemplated this since I studied about natural resources in middle school. Over the years, as I traveled to various national parks and sanctuaries, I realised how little space we had left for the wildlife, and even then they were not safe.

This thought occupied me when I sat down to write a short story for a school assignment. It was supposed to be a fictional story, but I’d say it is reality-inspired fiction. Hope you enjoy the story and it gives you some food for thought.

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Niya’s Adventure in the Jungle

It was the end of yet another day.

Niya brushed her teeth, let the comb run through her long silky hair, petted her golden Labrador Retriever Rover, and jumped under the warm covers of the cotton quilt to catch some sleep before another long and hectic safari schedule the next day.

It was the year 2019. Niya had been spellbound by the animals she had encountered over the last few days in the jungle of Gir Sanctuary in the beautiful state of Gujarat in India—especially the tigers had fascinated her.

As she thought of all the discussions in schools about environment and climate change and extinction of wildlife, she slowly drifted into a deep slumber.

Suddenly, after about four hours of chasing Rover in her dream, she was awakened by heavy vehicular movements and hushed human talk with beams of light in the distance. This was definitely not the moonlight making the forest glow at midnight; it was something more serious—something unusual, something that ran a shiver down her spine.

She looked around and saw her father snoring away while her mother was peacefully sleeping. It took her a while to gather her wits and peep out of the French windows with clear glass panes.

A shiver ran down her spine as she saw some men tearing through the forest like paper. There were a dozen men and several trucks. She had to get closer.

But was it safe?

Maybe not!

It was not a war for money, territory, or greed—it was a war for saving the forest, the animals who deserve their homes as much as humans. It was about taking to task and getting those poachers caught red-handed so that they could not fulfil their greedy ways.

Niya looked at Rover and they knew that they had to be the Avengers for today.

Niya swore to save this situation whatever it took.

Niya now put her thoughts together, gathered her courage, and walked down the rocky and muddy path.

She looked up at the sky with gratitude. This planet had selflessly given her and her community much more than they had ever needed.

But, alas! It was now quite devoid of water, trees, and even clean air.

The earth was an integral part of the universe and it was the duty of the children on the planet to restore its original glory.

She felt strong all by herself.

It was 3:00 a.m. by now. She walked up to the village on the edge of the forest and started knocking on all doors one by one. Slowly but steadily, a crowd gathered.

Before leaving the cottage she had hurriedly made a few posters about the situation, which now made it easy for her to explain her point of view to the villagers.

She explained the consequences of destruction of trees and climate change to the people who had gathered around her, and how it was absolutely necessary for them to react to the situation and help her out in order to save their home—the planet.

Realization dawned on the villagers, and together the rescue mission started. Not to mention that when everyone wakes up to a cause, the results are multifold.

The poachers were never to be seen in the area and everyone knew not to mess with the lions of Gir.

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