Normal speech
Thoughts
Talking aloud to self
Phil Collins singing
Back in the jungle, the gorilla clan is searching for Kala, looking shocked that she had disappeared. Mere moments ago they had discovered that she had gone missing and are looking for her right now. They keep on looking, hoping she's safe. Just then, a young Terk, Kala's niece, looks to her left drawing the attention of the rest of the clan in the direction she is pointing.
Terk: Mama, look! Look over there!
The others, including Kerchak, the leader of the gorillas, look and sigh in relief as Kala comes up. The clan runs up to see if Kala is hurt. Kerchak smiles longingly at her happy to see her uninjured.
Various gorillas: Kala! She's back!
First Gorilla: Are you alright, dear?
Kala: I'm fine. No, really, honestly. It's just that I have a little bit...sidetracked.
Then to the others' surprise, Kala shows them something in her arms; it's the baby. They are all in utter shock. A few of the other female gorillas try to reason out what they are feeling about the unexpected guest. Zuri, Kala's sister and Terk's mother, is the first to speak out.
Zuri: Well, isn't that, um, well it's so...
Terk climbs off of her mother taking a closer look at the baby.
Second Gorilla: Well, it's just so, so...
Terk interrupts the gorilla speaking without a filter.
Terk: Yeah, it's freaky-looking, okay that's what it is.
Zuri: Terkina!
Terk's mother scolds her for her bluntness. Terk tries to reason with her.
Terk: Well it is! I mean, what the heck is it, anyway?
Terk questions while leaning on Kala's arm, looking at the baby.
Kala: She's a baby.
Kala lifts the baby up, passing her to Terk. Not expecting to be handed the baby, Terk holds the in an awkward position.
Terk: Whoa! (The little girl starts to wriggle in Terk's hold.) Ow! I can't- (The baby chuckles as she touches Terk's hair. Terk grins at the giggling baby.) So where's her mama?
Kala: Well, I'm going to be her mother now.
The others, however, look worried at the statement. The baby girl doesn't look like any of the gorillas in the tribe. What will Kerchak say? Speaking of the gorilla, they see him coming and move to let their leader through. As he approaches Kala, who is solely focused on the baby, he sees the baby playing with Terk now. Terk bounces the baby girl up and down.
Terk: You know, she's not so bad once you get used to her. (She notices Kerchak giving a frown, forcing her to give the baby back to Kala.) Kala's gonna be its mother now.
Kerchak looks at the baby and sniffs at her. He frowns as he moves back and stares. The child doesn't look like any of the primates. Kala pleads with Kerchak.
Kala: Kerchak, I saved her from Sabor.
Kerchak's eyes widen upon hearing the predator's name. He glances down at the baby before speaking to Kala sadly.
Kerchak: Kala, it won't replace the one we lost.
Kala: I know that, but... she needs me.
She looks into the baby's eyes as the baby intently stares back at her. The two cuddling with each other. Kerchak then tries to reason with her.
Kerchak: But it, it-Kala, look at it! It's not our kind. No, you have to take it back.
He spoke with finality in his voice as he starts to turn around.
Kala: Take her back? But she'll die!
Kala states horrified. Kerchak pauses while his face hardens at the ensuing argument. Kala walks up to him holding the baby close to her.
Kerchak: If the jungle wants her, then-
Kala speaks against him confidently.
Kala: I want her!
Kerchak: Kala, I cannot let you put our family in danger.
Kala growls in frustration.
Kala: Does she look dangerous to you?
She holds the baby out to him. The gorilla leader frowns and roars, stomping close to Kala. The baby girl cries out in fear because Kerchak has frightened her, holding Kala tightly for comfort. Tears stream down the baby's face as she whimpers into Kala's fur. Kala looks to Kerchak pleadingly, Kerchak looks away frowning, but sighs in resignation.
Kerchak: Was it alone?
Kala sighs as she remembers the bodies she saw at the tree house. She knows the baby's parents were killed and there is no one else that is on the island, none that she knows of at least. If there are, they would've gotten the baby before her.
Kala: Yes. Sabor killed her family.
Kerchak looks to Kala scrutinizingly. He questions her again to make sure she isn't lying.
Kerchak: Are you sure?
Kala: Yes. There are no others.
Kala bows her head sadly, knowing that the baby has no one else. Kerchak lets out another sigh of defeat but finally relents.
Kerchak: Then you may keep her.
As Kerchak turns to leave, Kala grins, happy that her mate is allowing her to keep the child to raise. Kala speaks up lovingly.
Kala: Kerchak, I know she'll be a good daughter.
Kerchak stops upon hearing that. He glances over his shoulder before sternly speaking.
Kerchak: I said she could stay, that doesn't make her my daughter. (Kala's face saddens at the thought of Kerchak not wanting the child as well. Kerchak then speaks to the others.) We will nest here for the night.
The baby's sobs have died down and she sniffles. She snuggles closer to Kala for comfort. As the others get ready for bed, Terk comes back over to Kala and looks at the baby. The now calm baby focuses on her foot before placing it in her mouth to suck on. Terk curiously asks her aunt a question.
Terk: So um, whatcha gonna call it?
Kala takes her finger and moves the baby's foot from her mouth. The baby then goes to suck her thumb instead.
Kala: I'm gonna call HER...Tarzana.
She looks at Tarzana lovingly.
Terk: Tarzana? (Terk shrugs at hearing the name, not necessarily agreeing with the name given to the baby girl.) Okay, she's your baby. (Terk decides to now speak her mind since all the other adults are gone.) She's really cute. So since she's your kid, does that mean she's my cousin now?
Kala: Yes. She's your younger cousin.
Terk: Awesome! I'm gonna teach her so much! Like how to climb, and eat termites, and get her into so much trouble!
Kala chuckles at Terk's enthusiasm.
Kala: Oh, will you now?
Terk: Yep! When can I do that with her?
Kala: When she's older. She's still too young to do all of those fun activities with you.
Terk: Awww, dang it! (Terk semi-glares at Tarzana.) Why couldn't you be older?! (Tarzana removes her thumb from her mouth looking up at Terk, giving her a gummy smile. Terk sees the look Tarzana is giving her and calls out.) Gah, how can I stay mad at her when she looks at me like that? That's no fair Auntie Kala. Why does she gotta look so cute like that?
Kala: Because all babies are cute.
Terk crosses her arms over her chest, pouting.
Terk: Still cheating. Shouldn't be that easy to make you not mad.
Kala: Just think of how your mother and I were when you were born.
Terk has a thoughtful look to her face before relaxing seeing how her aunt is right.
Terk: I guess it's fair then.
Zuri walks up to her daughter, sister, and new niece. She's come to take her daughter to bed. Before talking to her daughter she turns to Kala.
Zuri: Kala why'd you save her? You could have died! What you've been through is incomparable but...
Kala interrupts her sister before she can finish her statement.
Kala: Zuri, I couldn't just leave her behind. She would've been killed. I couldn't let another baby die when this time I could stop it. She needs me, and I her. We've already bonded.
Zuri sighs in slight exasperation.
Zuri: But Kala, can you honestly raise her among gorillas? She's not like us.
Kala: That may be true, but I can feel that she is so much stronger than she looks. I think she'll surprise us all when she's older.
Zuri: She won't grow up for a while. What are you gonna do about that?
Kala: I will protect her until she can do it herself. She may be small but there is a fire inside her. One that won't be put out. She will learn one day.
Zuri: I hope you know what you are doing. (Zuri turns to talk to her daughter.) Alright, little lady, c'mon. It's way past your nest time.
Zuri picks Terk up onto her back and walks to their nest.
Terk: Aw, Mom!
Zuri: No.
Terk: Five more minutes?
Zuri: No.
Terk: Two more minutes?
Zuri: No.
Terk: One more minutes?
Despite the pleading, Zuri leaves with Kala's niece. Terk pouts on her mother's back fighting back a yawn. Terk calls back to her aunt softly.
Terk: Night, Auntie Kala. Tarzana.
Kala: Good night, Terk.
Kala grins as she decides to get some rest herself. She begins to put the newly named Tarzana on her back like she would with a gorilla baby, not understanding that human babies don't know how to do that. Kala takes a step, but Tarzana can't keep a hold of her and falls. Tarzana cries out as Kala catches her before she hits the ground. The fall scared her causing Tarzana to cry. Kala tries to comfort her daughter. She shushes her softly.
Kala: Oh, oh no, shh, shh, don't cry I'm here. (She pats Tarzana's head tenderly.) C'mon, c'mon. (Kala starts to sing to her daughter to calm her down.) Come stop your crying, it will be alright. Just take my hand, hold it tight. I will protect you from all around you. I will be here, don't you cry.
Tarzana holds onto her finger as she stops crying. Tarzana coos at Kala. Feeling eyes on her, Kala looks up to see Kerchak frowning at her while the clan gets ready to sleep tonight. She sighs, while Phil Collins begins to sing.
For one so small, you seem so strong. My arms will hold you, keep you safe and warm. This bond between us can't be broken. I will be here, don't you cry.
Later that night, Kala climbs to a big tree trunk where the new family will sleep tonight. While keeping a hold of Tarzana, Kala gathers some leaves to make a nest. Different small animal families are seen on the tree as well. A chinchilla family, and a lemur and its baby. They look at the mother and daughter in understanding. Kala moves her head to Tarzana's who nuzzles her new mother's head while she hugs her daughter tightly, unwilling to let go. Tarzana chuckles.
Because you'll be in my heart. Yes, you'll be in my heart. From this day on, now and forever more.
Kala, with a grin, plays with Tarzana while butterflies fly around. The baby giggles as one of the butterflies lands on her nose. This makes the gorilla smile as she places Tarzana close to her, lying next to her. Looking at the other members of the clan, she watches as they get ready to sleep.
You'll be in my heart, no matter what they say. You'll be here in my heart, always.
The other animals begin to sleep with their children close to them. Terk gets a leaf to use as a blanket and drags it over to her mom. The two sleep together covered by the huge leaf. Back with Kala she stares into the eyes of her daughter before talking in a quiet whisper.
Kala: Always!
Kala watches her new adopted daughter as Tarzana gets ready to fall asleep. She grins once more, as she goes to sleep herself, sleeping close to Tarzana. The two falling into a deep but peaceful sleep, not knowing what the future may hold.
