Contents

Baako

Obi

Hadiza

The voice of the savanna

Baako, Obi and Hadiza

In the savanna of West Africa underneath a baobab tree, a young male lion is trying to work up his courage.

        “Today I’m gonna do it! I’ll join the hunt and help my pride!”

He stopped in his tracks. Baako had been trying to ask the lead huntress if he could come along for weeks now, but everytime he tried his courage subsided.

`Baako

The lionesses had been readying themselves for the big hunt, sharpening their claws and licking their fangs. 

        “Get ready to roll ladies!” roared the leader. 

Just as they set off, Baako came up and blocked their path. Their eyes flashed as they glared at him.

        “What now Baako?”. 

He could feel shivers of fright rumbling down his spine, but Baako stood his ground.

The lionesses burst out into laughter.

        “A boy like you? joining in on our hunt? Don’t be ridiculous!” snickered one. 

        “Even an old blind bat would spot you lying in the bushes from leagues away!” said another. 

Baako hung his head low. The lead huntress raised her paw and a silence fell again. 

Leaving Baako behind, the lionesses continued on their way. One of them stopped for a moment and looked back.

    “Hey, I know you just want to help out and all… but maybe this isn’t how you should do it.” she urged. 

    “Then how should I help? I can’t do anything useful!’’ Baako cried.

He spun around and ran off. The lioness shook her head and quickly went to catch up with the others.

He came upon a large rock and lay down next to it. Baako could feel tears stinging in his eyes. He laid in the shade of that large rock for a while, his head buried in his paws.

Obi

Obi the ostrich sprinted through the sand, leaving clouds of dust behind him.  Every morning he sped out of the bushes and set off for the river. He loved running and could outrun anyone in his flock.

The other ostriches would roll their eyes “Always in a hurry!”

Obi saw the big rock which he passed every day. Planting his claw in the sand, he leapt into the air and soared over the rock. However, it was too late when Obi realized that right where he had planned to land, someone was laying in the grass!

Baako spat out a few feathers and crawled from underneath Obi.

    “I am, so, so, SO sorry!” Obi croaked. 

    He quickly stood up and ruffled his tail feathers.

    “I’m such a good-for-nothing lion, I even made an ostrich trip over me!” Baako mumbled.

    “Oh no, don’t be like that! I'm good-for-nothing for running so carelessly!” The two looked at each other and laughed.

        “You see, my flock likes to take things slow and steady. But I love to go faster than anyone else!”. 

        He looked distraught; “It’s not that I want to leave them behind, but when I run I release all my energy and become as happy as can be!”. 

Baako nodded his head and patted Obi on the back. 

        “I think your flock doesn’t realize what a great help you are!” he said and smiled. “Someone as fast as you could run up and down the path checking for any dangers! If you saw trouble, you could warn the others. I’m sure if you did that, they would appreciate just how fast you can sprint!”

Obi bent down and wrapped him in a tight hug. 

        “That is the smartest idea I have ever, EVER heard!” he beamed.

        “You just gave me a smart idea too!” and his eyes sparkled. 

He suddenly sped off leaving Baako behind, puzzled. 

        “I’m happy he is feeling better, but just what could Obi be planning?”

After only a short while, Obi happened upon a herd of zebras. In between the sea of black-and-white stood a strange, brown zebra. The others seemed to avoid her, snorting angrily anytime she grazed too near.  Having caught her eye, Obi walked up to the brown zebra; 

    “I see you’re not very popular either!”

    “What’s it to you?” the brown zebra snapped.  She hung her head low; 

    “Some of the zebras think an okapi like me doesn’t belong with them.” 

    “Well then I know just what to do! Follow me!” Obi bounced on the spot.

Hadiza

Baako spotted not one, but two silhouettes on the horizon. Obi had brought an okapi with him. 

    “This is my amazingly smart friend Baako! I’m sure he’ll know what to do.” Obi urged.

As Hadiza told her story, Baako listened and nodded along. When she had finished, he rubbed his chin in thought. 

“I think I might have an idea to help you get along with all the other zebras!” he mumbled. 

Hadiza smiled as she reared up “Thank you, oh thank you!”

Baako felt a warm feeling in his stomach, seeing Hadiza happy made him happy too.

In the meantime, Obi had sped off again. He ran all across the savanna, from the river to the thick brush of the forest. He had even dared to run up to the hyena’s cave. Everywhere he went, Obi spoke to animals in need and would send them Baako’s way.