Under the burning African sun, the great herd of elephants marched in search of water. At the back, Mama Tembo lagged. Her belly was round. She was ready to have her baby.

“Go on without me,” she said softly. “I will catch up when my baby comes.”

Chief Baraka, her friend and leader, touched her gently.
“I will return for you, Mama Tembo. Be safe.”

Days passed. Chief Baraka’s heart felt heavy. He turned back, his great feet shaking the earth. As he walked, he sang loudly:

“Oh, mighty ones, have you seen Mama Tembo?
 Oh, mighty ones, have you seen Mama Tembo?”

First, he met a family of lions, resting beneath the shade of a thorn tree.

Baraka sang:
“Oh mighty lions, have you seen Mama Tembo?”

The lions lifted their heads lazily and asked:
“Who is asking about Mama Tembo?”

Baraka trumpeted:
“I, the mighty Chief Baraka, will fight to destruction with whoever does her wrong!”

The lions, kings of the land, nodded wisely.
 “We have seen nothing, Chief. Go in peace.”

Next, in the tall grass, the leopard family watched with curious eyes.

Baraka sang:
“Oh mighty leopards, have you seen Mama Tembo?”

The leopards whispered:
“Who calls for Mama Tembo?”

Baraka roared:
“I, the mighty Chief Baraka, will fight to destruction with whoever does her wrong!”

The leopards, clever and silent, melted into the grass.
 “We have seen nothing. Pass, mighty one.”

By the river, ancient crocodiles watched with still eyes.

Baraka sang:
“Oh mighty crocodiles, have you seen Mama Tembo?”

The crocodiles hissed slid into the water, their heads just above the surface.
“We have seen nothing. Go your way.”