Journeys end
Cornelius and Nova are playing when Hannah Bonobo comes to tell Cornelius that his presence is required by Maurice. He tells no further state he here her. But then Hannah tells them that will not do Nova's presence is required as well.
They head down to the valley and find a large circle of apes have gathered around Maurice's tree. Cornelius's other friends ask, "Why are they all here?" The silver back general Koto tells them, "It seems that Maurice is about to finish his journey on the circle of life." Cornelius and Nova are reluctant to go in. Hannah tells him, "Cornelius, Nova. Maurice has called for you. You have to go in." Nova places her habd on his shoulder signing, "We'll go in together."
They see Maurice being attended by the healers and Lake. "Some water for you Maurice," says Lake as she offers him water. He drinks it down with delight signing, "Thank you Lake." Nova asks Lake in sign, "How he is?" Lake just shakes her head. Maurice asks, "Is Cornelius with you?" "I'm here Maurice." "I'm glad I got to see you grow up to become such a fine young ape. Your father, your mother, and your brother would be proud of you." "Well I owe A lot of that to you." He pulls Corneilus's head to his as they touch foreheads. Maurice then directs his attention to Toco, Lake, Hannah, and Suran the other big cheek flap Orangutan. "Yes, Maurice," says Toco. "All apes will now look to four of you now for wisdom. Give it to them, but still let them make the important decisions themselves." Suran then adds, "But Maurice, none of us will ever be your equal to you in wisdom. It takes four of us to equal your wisdom." "I know but I also know you are the right ones to guide the children into the future."
Finally, he calls for Nova. Telling her, "I thank every day when I met you. My dear sweet Nova. It is time." With tears in her eyes she signs, "I'm not ready. There is still so much I need to learn from you." He then assures, "You don't need anything else from me. I've already given you, all that you need. What happens next from here. Is up to you."
"Besides there's nothing more to fear in death than in the changing the seasons. For do you believe that the sun dies every time it dips below the horizon?" "No," she answers. "Do you think the wind blows softer and sweeter for the tallest trees than it does for the tiniest blades of grass." "No." "And do you really believe that nothing of us carries on after this life in this world is over?" "No, but it's so hard." "I know it will be, but remember you are not alone. You have a family and true friends like Cornelius. And your friends will always be there to help you and support you in your struggles. And so will I for you are part of me and I am part of you. Now and forever. I will always be with you. Just as I need you to be there for those who will need you as well."
Nova then tearfully responds, "I will do my best to do that." Maurice then calmly says in reply, "I know you will. And what we have now is something that is eternal." "What?" "Love. I love you Nova to the end of time. And I know that no matter what happens. As long as you keep living by the example I have shown you. I know we will meet again someday. So, this is not really a goodbye forever. Just a see you later my sweet child." He says those words as he breaths his last before falling asleep permanently. This shocks and brings tears to everyone in the room. With Nova signing, "Thank you Maurice. For being the second father, I and all of us needed."
Cornelius then turns to the opening saying, "Somebody needs to tell them all. I'll tell them." Lake then takes his shoulder to tell him. "This is the job at the councilors."
She stands on the edge of the tree with all the apes gathered around. Signing and doing her best to speak clearly. "Fellow apes, friends, and family from near and far. A great life and a noble soul has gone out of this world. Maurice has completed his journey on the circle of life." All the apes then begin to weep and moan. and oh "I can't believe it."
"As is our way we shall gather at the edge of the Of the forest overlooking by the lake-shore to say goodbyes to Maurice as we return his body to the earth from when it came. Letting his body to be used to help give a new tree its start and to sustain other lives in his honor."
At the funeral everyone gives their testimony about how Maurice touched all of their lives and how he mattered to them. None more so than Nova.
His body is covered by branches and a new tree is planted in their Grove of ancestors marked Maurice's tree. Lake signs, "May this new tree live as long as you did and continued to give shelter, be a home, and comfort to all the lives that will touched by its life as you did to lives you touched in your life."
Later Nova calls for Cornelius and Lake. Telling them, "There is something I need to tell you both. I've made a decision and you might not like it." Both looking at each other perplexed. Before she tells them , "I'm going to leave the valley."
Cornelius asks "Why?" "I think there might be others like me out there. Other humans who have not lost their minds. Who will need help and guidance like Maurice did for me. He went out into the unknown and took a chance on a total unknown like me. And he asked me to give that same comfort and understanding to any other I find. I know it sounds crazy but I feel in the very core my being that it's where I must go. That it's what I am meant to do. I'm sorry if this hurts you my friends, but I need some time away from here and I think I can do more good out there in the outside world than I could ever do by staying here."
Lake then tells her, "Well then, I only have one thing to say. We'll miss you. I'll miss you too. May Maurice 's spirit guide your steps wisely.
The next day Nova saddles up her horse Ginger with all the supplies she'll need. She gives Cornelius one more hug. "Thank you, Cornelius you're like the little brother I never knew I needed. I know you're going to grow to be an amazing ape. One who will rule the world." With Cornelius with tears saying, Without you or Maurice as my moral compass I most certainly will."
She hugs Lake who then tells her, "If for whatever reason you should you ever find yourself coming back here. Know that you will always have a home here." Nova, "Thank you my friends I will miss you."
She then rides off into the sunset. With Cornelius asking Lake, "I still think she's nuts. Still, if she's right how's she going to find them?" Lake, "Knowing Nova I think she's got a very good chance."
In the spirit realm Maurice is greeted by Caesar, Cornelia, Blue Eyes, his mother, his father, and then then the creator appearing before him to tell him, "Well done my good and faithful servant and my good friend. You have faced many hardships and have come out to become an everlasting beacon of light. And now you can finally rest in peace forever."
Looking back on the earth at Nova, Creator tells him, "You don't need to worry about them or her. She and the rest of them will be alright and so shall generations like them. If you come along I'll show you as you take your place among your ancestors." "I'd be honored thank you."
Life is a circle that touches every other circle and everyone's circle of life intercept with another's. Every life matters remember that always. And never forget love is eternal. Farewell as I take my place in eternal glory.
