Twelve-year-old Tarzan perched atop a thick, moss-covered branch, his legs dangling loosely, and waited. He could hear the faint rustling in the dense shrubs around him, a telltale sign of Kaphi's clumsy attempts at stealth. A smirk tugged at the corner of his lips, but he remained utterly still. Patience. It was a virtue he wasn't particularly gifted with, usually preferring action and movement, but when playing with his little sister, he used it to his advantage to the best of his ability. Because sometimes, patience won games.
The rustling grew louder and closer. Kaphi was never one for subtlety. He could almost picture her, her brow furrowed in concentration, her dark eyes scanning the undergrowth for any sign of him. A twig snapped underfoot, and Tarzan held his breath, suppressing a chuckle. He knew she was right below him.
With a sudden burst of movement, Kaphi emerged from the thicket, her eyes widening as she realized she had been spotted. Before she could react, Tarzan dropped from the branch, landing silently on his feet. He lunged forward, pinning her to the soft earth with a playful grunt.
"Pinned ya!" he exclaimed.
"Hey!" Kaphi complained, her voice muffled by the leaves. Kaphi grumbled, her small body wriggling beneath him. She struggled, her strong little arms pushing against his chest, but Tarzan held firm. "No fair. We were playing hide-and-seek."
"Not anymore," Tarzan said, a mischievous glint in his eyes. "I'm practicing my stealth." He leaned closer, his voice dropping to a low whisper. "Besides, you were making way too much noise."
Kaphi's grumbles turned into a huff.
"Oh yeah?" she challenged, her eyes narrowing. "Well, I'm practicing my . . . my . . . ambush tactics!"
Tarzan chuckled, releasing her from his hold, allowing her to sit up.
"Ambush tactics? You sound like Dad," he teased.
"Well, someone has to keep you in line," she retorted, puffing out her chest. "You're always running off, getting into trouble."
"Am not!" Tarzan grinned, his eyes sparkling. "Trouble finds me. Besides, it's more fun that way."
Tarzan turned to leave, a playful swagger in his step.
"Come on, slowpoke," he called over his shoulder. "Unless you're too scared to keep up."
He didn't get far.
With a sudden burst of movement, Kaphi launched herself forward, her small form a surprisingly heavy weight as she landed squarely on his back. Tarzan yelped in surprise, stumbling forward as her arms wrapped tightly around his neck.
"Ha, ambush tactics!" Kaphi shrieked in delight, her voice filled with triumphant glee. "Pinned ya!"
Tarzan, momentarily stunned, burst into laughter.
"Okay, okay, you got me!" he gasped, struggling to regain his balance. Kaphi clung to him like a furry backpack, her laughter mingling with his.
"See?" she said, her voice smug. "I told you I was practicing my ambush tactics."
"Alright, alright," Tarzan conceded, carefully maneuvering so they both wouldn't tumble to the ground. "You're the queen of ambush. But . . . can you hold on while I swing?"
"Really?" Kaphi asked, her eyes widening while her grip around her brother's neck tightened.
"Hold on tight!" Tarzan yelled, grabbing a nearby vine. With a powerful leap, he swung into the air, Kaphi clinging to him for dear life. The jungle whizzed past them in a blur of green, the wind whipping through their hair as Tarzan let go of the vine and swung for another. The little six-year-old squealed with delight on her brother's back.
As he leaped for another vine, out of the corner of his eye, he saw a cheetah burst out of the undergrowth, and it let out a loud roar-like snarl up at the vines. Tarzan recognized the cheetah, a friend who had helped him chase off the poachers that had threatened several gorilla families, including his own, during a time known as the Truce. That had only been a few months back. Cheetah, as he would not give out his name as was cheetah law, had been an unexpected ally during that time, but he lived in the savannah, so Tarzan was curious as to why the big cat was back in the jungle.
Tarzan slowly swung back to the ground, and Kaphi hopped off his back and followed her brother over to Cheetah, pausing just behind him to stare at the cat curiously. Cheetah sat at the top of the hill, staring down at Tarzan with an intense look in his eyes.
"We meet again, son of apes," Cheetah greeted.
Tarzan felt a shiver crawl down his spine. Something was wrong. Very wrong.
"Cheetah," he said, "what brings you back to the jungle?"
Cheetah rose to his feet, his movements tense and alert. He paced back and forth, his tail lashing agitatedly.
"The poachers have returned," Cheetah said in a grave voice.
Tarzan's blood ran cold while Kaphi gasped behind him. The poachers, those ruthless hunters were a menace he had hoped never to encounter again.
"Where?" he asked.
"They hide in the jungle," Cheetah said, "and steal from the savannah. I have located their nesting ground and see that they are taking from the jungle as well. They are capturing animals, Tarzan. Many animals. They have traps, cages, nets. I fear they plan to take them away from our lands."
Tarzan clenched his fists, his knuckles turning white. He would not allow these vile poachers to desecrate his home, to steal away the creatures he had grown up with.
"We have to stop them," he said.
"What's this 'we?'" Kaphi asked, turning concerned eyes on her brother. "What if they catch you? Besides, Dad won't be happy if you take off and go near those . . . things again. Remember how upset he was last time?"
"That's why I need you to cover for me," Tarzan explained, his voice taking on a pleading tone. "Tell him I'm . . . I don't know . . . exploring a new part of the jungle? Practicing my swinging skills? Anything!"
Kaphi crossed her arms, a stubborn glint in her eyes.
"No way! Last time, I got in trouble, too."
"But Cheetah needs my help," Tarzan insisted, his voice rising in frustration. He looked at Cheetah, who nodded in agreement. "He can't fight those poachers alone. And I'll stay out of sight and make sure no one sees me or catches me. Okay? Cheetah wouldn't have come to me if he could handle this himself."
Kaphi looked at Cheetah, her expression softening slightly. She had heard about how Cheetah had helped her brother during the Truce, saving his life even, and she figured her brother probably owed the big cat a favor. And the thought of those cruel poachers capturing innocent animals made her stomach churn. She sighed, her shoulders slumping.
"Fine," she conceded, "but you owe me big time, Tarzan. And if Dad finds out . . ." she trailed off, leaving the threat hanging in the air.
"You won't regret this, Kaphi," he promised, pulling his sister into a quick hug. "I'll be really quick, Dad won't even notice I'm gone."
"You said that last time."
"I mean it this time."
"Just don't make a habit of this, okay?" Kaphi said.
"Never," Tarzan said, ruffling his little sister's hair before walking up to Cheetah. "Lead the way."
Cheetah led Tarzan through a labyrinth of tangled vines and hidden pathways, their movements silent and swift as they traveled deeper and deeper into the jungle. They finally reached a secluded clearing where the air was thick with metallic scents and burning oil, a disgusting smell Tarzan recognized from the poachers during the Truce. He glanced through the trees into the clearing.
A makeshift camp was nestled amidst the trees. Cages, crudely constructed from bamboo and wire as if they had been a last-minute decision, held a menagerie of terrified creatures: a young antelope, several vibrant parrots, a small troop of monkeys, and even a leopard, who appeared to walk with a limp. The leopard was the only creature in a pure metal cage, and he paced within its confines, hissing and snarling.
"No cheetahs," Tarzan noted, looking at Cheetah curiously.
"I never said they had any cheetahs," Cheetah said. "Only that they were stealing from the savannah. They had their go at me, but they missed. I followed them here when they left the savannah for the day. No creature deserves to be stolen from their home."
Tarzan looked back at the animals in cages. Cheetah was right, even the leopard had his place in the jungle. This was wrong. They needed to put an end to this.
He finally spotted the poachers, rough-looking med with hardened faces, who were gathered around a fire, their voices harsh as they spoke in their foreign language.
"They hide here," Cheetah growled, his eyes narrowed. "They think the jungle will conceal their evil."
Tarzan's anger burned, but he knew he was not big enough to fight off the poachers, not like his father would have been. No, brute force would not work here. He needed a plan, a way to free the animals and drive the poachers from his home.
Tarzan observed the poachers' camp, his eyes scanning the layout. He noticed where they kept their weapons: a collection of rifles, knives, and crude axes, leaning against a rough-hewn table near the fire. He knew that disarming them was crucial to minimizing harm.
"Cheetah," Tarzan whispered. "I have an idea."
"I knew you would," Cheetah said proudly.
After telling Cheetah his plan, Tarzan waited until he was sure all the poachers were gathered around the fire, their backs to him, their attention focused on a pot of stew bubbling over the flames. Moving as swiftly and silently as he could, he slipped into the camp. He moved from weapon to weapon, gathering them into a large bundle. He then carefully dragged the bundle away from the camp, hiding it deep within a dense thicket.
Satisfied that the poachers were now weaponless, he signaled to Cheetah, who was waiting patiently in the shadows. With a nod, Cheetah launched his attack.
He burst into the camp from the opposite side, a whirlwind of tawny fur and snarling ferocity. He darted in and out of the trees, nipping at the poachers' heels, hissing and snarling, creating a scene of utter pandemonium.
The poachers, caught completely off guard, scrambled to their feet, their eyes wide with fear.
"What is that?!" one of them yelled, his voice trembling.
"Must be leopard, it's the only cat out here, ain't it?"
"Shoot it, whatever it is!"
"Are there several of them?"
They reached for their weapons, only to find them gone. Panic set in. They were unarmed, at the mercy of a wild predator. Several derogatory words went flying as the men searched for their weapons, only pausing when the bushes shook around them, loud snarling and half snarl-roars echoed through the trees, the predator remaining hidden.
One of the men must have had a knife on his person as he pulled it out and bravely stepped out into the bushes, disappearing into the jungle in pursuit of this predator. There was a loud scream as bushes shook, then silence, and this truly sent the men into a panic as they searched for their weapons.
While the poachers were distracted, Tarzan moved through the camp to free the animals. He approached the nearest cage, which held a group of terrified monkeys. He examined the latch, a simple loop of wire, and quickly used his fingers to manipulate it. The cage door swung open, and the monkeys, their eyes wide with fear, scurried out and disappeared into the surrounding trees.
Tarzan moved to the next cage, which held a young antelope. He repeated the process, quickly releasing the frightened animal. The antelope, its legs trembling, bolted into the jungle, forcing Tarzan to duck as it leaped over him, its hooves barely making a sound on the soft earth.
He continued his work, moving from cage to cage, releasing the captured animals. The vibrant parrots took to the air, their colorful plumage flashing through the trees, their songs loud about their hero and freedom. The smaller animals, rodents of some kind, scurried into the undergrowth, their tiny paws barely disturbing the leaves.
As he worked, Tarzan kept a watchful eye on the poachers, who were still frantically searching for Cheetah. He could hear their panicked shouts and the occasional gunshot from a weapon he must have missed in his collection, but they were too disoriented to notice his presence, and Cheetah seemed to be handling himself well.
He reached the metal cage holding the leopard. This one was different. The lock was a heavy padlock, and the cage itself was made of sturdy metal bars. He glanced over his shoulder to make sure no one was around before he jumped up to where the padlock was.
"Roar!"
"Ah!" Tarzan shouted in surprise, jumping off the cage as the leopard charged forward and swatted a massive paw at him. He quickly covered his mouth, realizing he had made a loud noise.
"What's all this?" he heard a poacher snap, then heavy footfalls were stamping in his direction.
Tarzan gasped and slid under the metal cage, crouching low and trying to keep his frightened panting quiet. He saw thick black boots stomp alongside the cage, he heard the leopard snarl as it paced above him, and the boots paused in front of the cage. Tarzan watched, waiting for the poacher to find him. He wasn't sure what he would do then, but he would need a plan. Did he act now? Did he make a run for it? Did he abandon the leopard? It didn't seem to want his help anyway.
"Patience, Tarzan," Kerchak had once told him when Tarzan had been concerned about a storm getting too close to their cave that they had found shelter in. "A hasty decision often misses its mark, while a patient leader allows the jungle to assist. And it will when needed most."
Patience was something he always struggled with. Tarzan took a deep breath, trying to calm his racing heart. He was tempted to bolt, to escape the poacher's watchful gaze, but he knew that his father's words were true. The flood words had been diverted away by a mudslide before they could flood the cave, proving Kerchak's words and lack of action at the time to be true. Haste would only lead to mistakes, and mistakes could be deadly for everyone. What if Kerchak had led the family out of the cave? They would have been swept away in the mudslide instead. And what if Tarzan bolted too soon? He might be snatched by a poacher.
He remained still; his body pressed against the cool earth beneath the cage. He could hear the poacher's heavy breathing, the rustle of his clothing as he shifted his weight. The leopard paced restlessly above him, its claws clicking against the metal floor of the cage.
The poacher's boots shifted again, moving closer to the front of the cage.
"Something's let the animals go!" the poacher snapped, as if he had just seen the state of the other cages.
Tarzan held his breath, his muscles tense, ready to spring into action. He could see the poacher's shadow lengthen as he leaned closer to the ground.
Then, swift paws rounded the cage and leaped on to the poacher, and he heard screams and hissing as the poacher stumbled away from the cage, fighting against the big cat clawing and biting at him. He collapsed into the bushes several feet away, disappearing from sight, only Cheetah's tail visible for a moment before even he vanished from sight.
Tarzan exhaled slowly, relief washing over him. He had waited, he had been patient, and now he had his chance. He carefully slid out from under the cage.
He glanced around the camp. The poachers were still in a state of chaos, their attention focused on Cheetah's elusive attacks. Currently, several were checking the state of the poacher who had just been mauled by Cheetah, confusion and fear in their eyes. Tarzan turned his attention back to the leopard's cage. He had to free this last creature.
He slowly glanced through the bars, meeting the leopard's eyes. It was lying down in the cage, and it hissed at him.
"I'm here to free you," Tarzan said.
The leopard glared at him, but his ears did perk up slightly. Tarzan carefully reached for the padlock, watching the leopard to make sure it did not charge him again. When the leopard did not move, Tarzan focused on the lock, studying its structure.
He found a small gap between the shackle and the body of the lock. Using a sharp rock he found nearby, he carefully wedged it into the gap and applied pressure. The lock creaked and groaned, but it held. He tried again, this time using more force. With a loud snap, the shackle broke, and the padlock fell to the ground.
The leopard jumped to its feet, staring at the cage door intently.
Tarzan jerked the door, and it creaked as it swung open. Tarzan did not immediately let go of the door, wanting to keep some metal between himself and the leopard.
The large cat stepped forward slowly, sniffing the air for a moment at the cage entrance before it looked directly at Tarzan. Its eyes held something akin to respect, and Tarzan bowed his head slightly, something he knew all animals responded to well. A sign of respect.
The leopard dipped his head in return, then snarled as he turned his attention to the defenseless poachers, who were all walking back to camp with a defeated look in their eyes, clearly not having found their weapons. They all froze at the sight of the leopard.
The big cat roared loudly, a more ferocious sound even Cheetah was not capable of producing, and the poachers screamed as they fled the campsite, the leopard chasing after them.
Tarzan laughed at their predicament, not feeling the least bit sympathetic. He released the cage and ran into the jungle, happy to have accomplished his mission easily. He nearly ran into Cheetah, who had been grooming the blood off his paws, though his jaws were still red-tinged.
"Well done, Tarzan," Cheetah said. "I knew I could count on you."
"Anytime, Cheetah," Tarzan said. He glanced around the jungle, then chuckled nervously before asking, "you wouldn't know the way home, would you?"
Cheetah snorted in amusement before he gestured for Tarzan to follow him, and Tarzan ran after Cheetah as he led the way back to Kerchak's territory.
Back home now, Tarzan moved slowly through the family grounds, hoping that his father had not noticed his absence. It was nearing evening now, but he had not been gone nearly as long as he had been when he sought out the poachers out of curiosity during the Truce. He might just get away with this.
"Where have you been?" Kerchak asked, his voice directly behind him.
Tarzan winced. Or not.
"Dad," Tarzan greeted as he turned to smile submissively at his father. "I haven't been anywhere, I was just . . ."
"Ambush tactics!" Kaphi's voice cried loudly from somewhere above him, and Tarzan grunted as his sister crashed into his back, knocking him to the ground and pinning him down. "Pinned ya!"
Kaphi looked up at her father and grinned.
"Hi, Daddy," she greeted. "Tarzan and I have been playing all day. He's been practicing his stealth and hiding from me, and I've been practicing my ambush tactics."
Tarzan was impressed with his sister for quickly coming to his rescue, and he smiled up at her before glancing at his father to see if he would buy the story. Kerchak's eyes narrowed, his gaze shifting from Kaphi's triumphant grin to Tarzan's sheepish expression. He let out a low rumble, a sound that usually sent shivers down Tarzan's spine.
"Ambush tactics, you say?" Kerchak asked, his voice heavy with skepticism. "And you, Tarzan, were practicing your . . . stealth?"
Tarzan swallowed hard, shifting slightly under his sister's weight. He knew Kerchak wasn't easily fooled.
"Yes, Dad," he said, trying to sound convincing. "We've been playing all day. Kaphi's been getting quite good at her ambushes."
Kerchak's gaze lingered on Tarzan, his expression unreadable. He seemed to weigh their words, searching for any hint of deception. Finally, he let out a heavy sigh.
"Very well," he said, his voice laced with a hint of resignation. "But remember, Kaphi, ambush tactics require more than just brute force. You must learn to anticipate your opponent's movements, to use the terrain to your advantage. A better ambush would be from somewhere your opponent might be most comfortable, say their nest or favorite fruit tree. Stay hidden and strike silently when you are ready."
Kaphi's eyes lit up, her chest puffing out with pride.
"Yes, Dad!" she exclaimed, her voice filled with enthusiasm. "I'll practice even harder!"
Tarzan groaned inwardly. He knew what this meant. He would be subjected to Kaphi's "improved" ambush tactics for weeks to come. He shook his sister off him and sat up at last, only for Kerchak to turn his eyes on him.
"And you," Kerchak continued, "remember that stealth is not just about hiding. It's about moving unseen, unheard. Even the keenest eyes can be deceived by stillness. But the jungle itself has eyes, ears, and a memory. It remembers every broken branch, every misplaced stone. And it shares these memories with those who know how to listen. Perhaps you should spend more time listening, and less time . . . elsewhere."
Tarzan felt his face flush slightly as he gave his father a submissive smile. He wondered how much the jungle could actually share and how much his father actually knew. So much for a good cover story.
"Right. I'll remember that," Tarzan said.
Kerchak's eyes narrowed slightly, a hint of approval in his gaze.
"Good. Then let us be clear," he said firmly. "Do not practice your "stealth" in such a manner again. The risks are too great."
"Yes, Dad," Tarzan agreed, looking down at the ground. Kaphi gave her brother a sympathetic look.
Kerchak snorted softly, then said, "Now, before dinner, who wants to practice their "stealth and ambush" on me?"
Kaphi's eyes lit up and she jumped up and down.
"Oh, I do, I do!" Kaphi said enthusiastically.
Tarzan slowly looked up and smiled at his father, briefly wondering if that was really the end of this discussion. Whatever the jungle had shared with Kerchak, his father clearly wasn't too angry about it.
"Really?" he asked.
Kerchak nodded.
"You both have ten second head start," he told them.
Tarzan grinned as he quickly ran after Kaphi to find somewhere they could ambush their father from when he came looking for them.