A/N: This story was inspired by several sources. 1) A story shared by William Shatner in one of his books where he went on a Safari and woke up one morning to discover his tent was surrounded by elephants, Two) Two stories by paganpunk2, A Mourning at the Museum and Tectonic Doom, and Three) My own story Sampson. This is a sequel to that story.
Dick, Tim, and Alfred are on safari in Africa. While there an extraordinary event takes place that Tim and Dick will never forget.
Safari
By AJRedRobin
"I can't believe we're here," Tim exclaimed. He looked out at the African plain, its lush green was overshadowed by the huge azure, red, orange, and purple sky that contained clouds of flame as the sun set that only an artist could capture. And even then it was doubtful. Night was falling. Their host and guide was setting up camp and afterward started a fire with dry brush and a few sticks.
"You really like this place?" Dick asked as they settled into chairs that had been pulled around the fire pit.
"Yeah," Tim replied. "I had gone to Egypt with my parents when I was four. We were on a dig. I always wanted to go on a safari."
"Well, I'm glad you like it," Dick stated. "It's taken almost a full year to persuade Bruce to let us go on this trip."
"Yeah, our last one turned out rather memorable," Tim said with a bite to his words.
"I'm really sorry about Charity Collins," Dick apologized. "I know you started to like her."
"Yeah,' Tim sighed. "She still blames me for her mother's death. I tried to tell her there was nothing anyone could do. The flood came too fast. She kept arguing that Superman should have saved her mother first. If he had you would have been the one dead. But . . . I never would have blamed her . . . I"
"Tim, it's okay. I know what you're trying to say."
'I'm just glad you didn't die," Tim added. "And we're here in Africa."
"Dinner is served, young Sirs," Alfred stated.
"I can't believe that Bruce let is take Alfred."
"I know Africa quite well, Master Timothy. My regiment was here for two years. Thank you for setting up the tents, Bujiba."
"You are most welcome. Saheeb Penny," stated an older black man a few years younger than Alfred.
"Bujiba, how do you know Alfred?" Tim asked.
"Saheeb Penny saved my life. I had fallen into a ravine and broken my leg. I could not get back to my village. Saheeb Penny found me and set my leg. He then carried me to my home. I owe him my life."
"Alfred, you did that?" Tim was impressed.
'Yes, Master Timothy," Alfred replied as he dished out their meal. "You are quiet Master Richard."
"Oh I was just wondering why do we carry guns?"
'The bush can be very dangerous, Saheeb Richard. Not all animals are friendly. Many are curious and can be very dangerous. It is more for our protection."
"I see, so we're not really hunting them to . . ."
"Of course not, that's why I brought my camera equipment," Tim said.
"A photo safari," Dick smiled. "I hope we will see a whole lot of animals then." In his heart though he was hoping to see one particular animal.
"Of course, Saheeb Richard. I have made a promise. We shall see them."
After they dined. Alfred brought two cups of hot cocoa.
'Cocoa? Here? Alfred you're a genius," Tim exclaimed.
"Thanks Alfred," Dick said as he took the steaming mug.
'Despite the warm temperatures, the night out here can have a chill. Marshmallows?"
"Haha," Tim laughed. "You even brought them?"
"Well, you know Alfred. He thinks of everything," Dick replied.
"Might I suggest after you partake of your cocoa that you retire for the night."
"Yes, Saheebs, that is an excellent suggestion," said Bujiba. "Then you can be fresh. I can wake you just before sunrise. We can then go to the nearest watering hole and see many animals."
"I can't wait," Tim said excitedly.
"I'm going to have a hard time sleeping," Dick said.
Alfred gave a knowing look as his charges drank their cooling cocoa. Within moments both were practically snoozing in their chairs.
"Saheeb Penny, that was a clever trick."
"Nothing to it, Bujiba," Alfred answered. "When you have worked with Mr. Wayne for as many years as I have, you learn a trick or two. Now, help me get them to their tent."
"With pleasure, Saheeb."
Dick and Tim slept soundly for several hours. In the wee hours of the morning, just at sunrise, Dick was slowly brought out of his deep slumber from some strange snuffling sound. A long truck reached in and sniffed the sleeping acrobat's feet. A memory long ago caused Dick to whine out. "Not now Sampson," Dick said sleepily. The noise persisted and then other familiar noises joined in. Dick suddenly sat up and realized he was no longer at the circus. He was on safari with Tim. A large lumbering shadow passed in front of the tent. It was backlit and Dick recognized the image all too well.
'Tim . . . Tim," Dick whispered loudly to his sleeping companion.
"Mmmm . . . Go back to sleep Dick." Tim grumbled.
"Tim, I need your camera."
"What for?" Tim turned his head toward Dick.
"Because I think the safari came to us."
"What?" Tim was awake at that news.
'Shhhh, not so loud," Dick shushed his little brother. Dick motioned for Tim to look toward the front of the tent.
"Oh my . . ." Tim's eyes grew wide. He carefully crept toward his trunk and pulled out his most prized possession and checked to see if the batteries were fresh. He made sure that the camera was on a manual setting so he could set the F-stops himself to get the most out of his images. He took a quick reading then snapped the picture of the large shadow framed against the wall of the tent. He took several exposures and frames. It was as if the shadow had stopped to pose and was waiting just for them.
^You want to take a look outside?^ Tim signed to Dick once the pictures were taken and the shadow started moving off.
^Sure," Dick signed back. Dick silently moved to the front of the tent then realized someone had left the flap open. Dick pushed it aside and his eyes grew as wide as saucers.
Tim took a quick shot of Dick's face. It was an absolute priceless moment. Tim then turned to see what Dick was staring at in awe. For while they slept, what had entered their camp was a family of elephants. They were so close Dick and Tim could reach out and touch them.
Tim quickly switched his camera's mode from photo to video when he realized that was exactly what Dick was attempting to do. Using his camera, Tim watched Dick slowly raise his hand to touch the face of the young adolescent elephant that tried to sniff Dick's feet just a moment before. The elephant was curiously looking at Dick. He showed no fear of the acrobat. Tim was mesmerized at that moment. It was as if two kindred spirits had found each other after being separated for many years.
Once Dick had succeeded in touching the young male, it was as if they were frozen in time. They stood that way, staring into each other's eyes. Tim switched his camera back to photo mode to capture that moment once more. They had come to Africa to see wildlife and in the blink of an eye, it was as if that wildlife was on its own safari, hoping to see humans just as eagerly. It was a magic moment that they would never forget, both the young man and the elephant.
The elephant and Dick must have stood that way for more than ten minutes only for the moment to be suddenly broken when the young elephant broke contact to look back at his family herd beyond. He turned back towards Dick as if to say goodbye, touched his trunk to Dick's cheek then went on his way.
"Did . . . Dick you see that?" Dick said, his voice coming back to him in a hoarse whisper filled with emotion.
"Yeah," Tim said. "I captured every moment, both in video and in photos."
"He said his name was Sampson," Dick said.
"Sampson. How do you know?" Tim asked.
"Because he told me," Dick said.
Tim was astounded. The elephant had talked to Dick? "Um, wasn't there an old elephant at Haley's called Sampson?" Tim questioned.
"Yeah," Dick replied. "He died when I was five years old. He was my first elephant friend. He used to tickle my feet to wake me up whenever I fell asleep with them after a long show." Dick remembered something tickling his feet at that moment.
The hairs on the back of Tim's neck rose. "Um . . . Do you suppose . . ." Tim didn't finish his words.
" . . . That Sampson was reincarnated?" Dick finished Tim's question. "I don't know, Tim, but that elephant did seem to know me even though we just met. I was drawn to him and he was drawn to me. Who knows? Maybe it was Sampson's way of telling me that he was all right, that he was with his family."
"Who knows, Dick," Tim replied. "I know one thing."
""What's that?"
"This is the best camping trip ever. I don't think anything will top that."
"You know Timmy, I think you're right. And I can't wait to show those pictures to Bruce. He'll never believe it if we just tell him."
"Oh yes he will, I'm a witness."
Dick grinned broadly then both changed out of their clothes from the previous day to start out fresh. Bujiba promised Dick and Tim to take them to see lots of animals. But nothing could compare to that one moment in time where two lost friends found each other once again after all these years.
Continues with Part 2