As told by Amara, Matriarch of the Savanna
When you've lived as long as I have on these vast
African plains, you learn to read the sky's stories. My grandmother taught me,
just as her grandmother taught her – the sacred duty of a matriarch isn't just
to lead, but to protect.
I felt it this morning – that deep rumble that
humans can't hear, but we elephants know well. The storm was coming, still
hundreds of miles away, but its message travelled through the earth itself,
vibrating through my feet and into my bones. We elephants are blessed with the
ability to detect infrasound, those deep, low-frequency rumbles that carry
nature's earliest warnings.
My herd knows the drill. When I raise my trunk and
trumpet the signal, even the youngest calves understand – it's time to move.
But our responsibility extends beyond our own family. Over the years, I've
watched smaller creatures seek shelter near us during storms. Zebras, antelopes,
even birds sometimes gather close to our herd, instinctively knowing that our
massive presence offers some protection against the storm's fury.
The most challenging part? Staying calm when the
sky turns violent. The little ones get scared – not just our calves, but all
the young ones who've sought our protection. That's when experience matters
most. My low rumbles reassure them, a sound that carries even through the
loudest thunder. We form a circle, young ones in the middle, creating a living
fortress against the elements.My her
You see, being a Storm Watcher isn't just about
surviving the weather – it's about being a guardian for all who need shelter.
When lightning splits the sky and thunder shakes the earth, I stand firm. My
size isn't just for show; it's a responsibility. Each flash illuminates dozens
of grateful eyes looking to me for protection, and I won't let them down.
Some might wonder why we don't simply run from
storms. But that's not our way. We face them, using our wisdom to find the
safest paths and strongest grounds. Our ancestors have weathered countless
storms, passing down their knowledge through generations. Now, it's my turn to
carry that torch – or rather, that lightning bolt.
So next time you hear thunder rolling across the sky, think of us – the Storm Watchers. We're out here, standing strong, keeping watch over nature's most vulnerable children. Because that's what guardians do.
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