Paul crouched near the massive female elephant, keeping a cautious distance as he awaited Dr. Ndaba’s arrival. The forest felt oppressively quiet. Suddenly, the elephant stirred, letting out a low snort. To Paul’s surprise, she shuffled closer and gently tugged at his shirt with her massive trunk.
Her grip was firm yet gentle, as though she was urging him to follow. Paul hesitated, his heart pounding. Despite her labored breathing, the elephant turned and began trudging slowly through the dense foliage. Paul felt compelled to follow, unsure of where she intended to lead him.
The female elephant moved with deliberate steps, her immense frame heaving with effort. Paul was astounded by her resilience. Despite her obvious pain, she pressed on, pausing occasionally to glance back and ensure he was still behind her. The mystery of her intent deepened.
After several tense minutes, they emerged into a small clearing. Paul glanced around, confused. The area seemed unremarkable—just a patch of open space surrounded by towering trees. The elephant stopped and looked around, her distressed breathing growing more pronounced. Paul followed her gaze, puzzled.