I'm Malibu, and I was saved by an elephant.
It was a warm, summer afternoon of the 26th of May, 1986. A few tourists were travelling around the African plains in a Safari Cruiser, painted a crimson red with muddy wheels, giving the sense of adventure to the passengers.
The heat was rising and everyone slapped on suncream and shades. Remember, the roof was an open-top, so the sun's rays could beam down on them. It was perfect weather for this day. At least it wasn't raining. Africa normally experiences droughts around summer time; I am surprised it still has a population of animals.
On the bus was me, my mother and a couple of older people, near their 60's; they were super nice to me. I got given a tour brooch which fit snugly amongst my chestnut hair. I had to slip off my hatto fit it on, but my mother allowed me since I was behaving. The tour guide was a tall woman named Kadina, she said she was from Algeria or somewhere. Her accent was fancy, but it still added to the atmosphere of excitement roaming the Rover.
Africa is a beautiful continent of the world. I've seen so many amazing pictures captured by extraordinary photographers. Stunning. Who thought that such a large place would have so many small things which make a huge difference? I didn't, and I was astonished. And soon enough, I made the biggest mistake of my life.
I fell out of the Rover. The car was going too fast to let me jump back on, but they stopped after a while because of my screaming mother. Around 100 metres away from me, I tried running back to the Rover, but it was no use. The mud clung to my hiking boots like a kid hugs their mothers leg.
Suddenly, I spotted a patch of tall grass move and brush against the ground. I could see through it... and there, sat in a position to pounce on my fragile body, was a male lion. He was out hunting for his family, which I spied out to be sat in the trees around 400 metres away.
I quietly crept back as peacefully as I could, not making a sound. The lion peered it's head out of the grass; I could see it's huge, blood-thirsty fangs grinning at me through its tough lips.
He could smell the fear that came off of me, I could tell.
He crept closer and I crept further backwards... until I hit a large, grey object planted firmly behind me.
I looked below my chest, and I saw 3 nails. Pure white nails, with a speck or two of African soil. What could that be? I span round to see a large elephant guarding my back. It swung its trunk around my waist, like a monkey would wrap its tail around the deep jungle tree branches. I felt so secure. I could see my mother astonished in the Rover. Everyone was watching, and I looked up to see the elephant smiling at me. The lion was further away. One blow of he elephants trunk scared the lion away, sprinting as fast as it could from us.
I hugged the elephants leg.
"Thankyou.." I whispered to it. I got a smile, and a small toot in reply, and soon enough, it started to stomp away, shaking the earths surface as it went.
I'm Malibu, I am 11 years old, and an elephant saved my life.
