A Gorilla Story - Taylor Wyatt

The humans began to surround my family and I as we were hunting for food in the forest that morning. It was hot out with a cool breeze, perfect for tourists; I have been around long enough to realize that when the weather is good, the more dangerous it is. They were coming from all sides with bright flashing lights. I could feel their electric energy radiating from their bodies and I knew it was time for my family and I to leave before it got dangerous. I ushered everyone to the front, assuming the male role at the back and could feel the humans’ excitement increase as they caught sight of my silver back. As we walked up the path it was obvious that there were more humans ahead and the ones behind were following us, I could smell them. This kind of attention was normal for me but it was very foreign to the young ones. I could see fear but also curiosity in their eyes as they were discovering something new. I noticed our group slowing down and realized the human squatting near the bushes trembling with fear and excitement as the young gorillas approached him. One of my children worked up the courage to extend his hind legs while resting his paws on the man’s arm, sniffing and educating himself on the strange creature. My first instinct was to get everyone as far away from them as possible, but I soon realized that this man was harmless and no threat to anyone, especially me. Feeling more comfortable we surrounded the man with ease, which seemed to excite the spectators and the flashing increased rapidly. I could feel it making the cubs nervous, as they didn’t know how to react to this kind of attention. Pulling the young ones off the man I gave a loud grunt, silencing the humans and sending a wave of fear through them. Signaling to my group that it was time to leave we started to head off deep into the forest. Just as I could feel the humans relax and inch forward to follow I gave one last grunt, warning them that they should stay away.