Rainforest Sounds

• Elly Leis, Grade 7
• Short Story
• 2020

The smell of damp moss fills the cloudy sky, as I hear raspy squawks and high pitched chirps echo above. I walk through the wet, sloppy mud, as the sky grows darker and chirps grow louder. The tall trees create a canopy above as I trudge through the dark, green, gloomy forest. I haven’t seen my tour group for over an hour and my nerves are taking over. The rain starts to spit and the wind blows rapidly, as I continue deeper into the forest.

Large footsteps fill the damp track ahead of me. I look around petrified, as the lump in my throat grows bigger. My legs shiver as I trek past the monstrous footsteps. I walk on and notice they suddenly end. I hear rustling to my left and peer through the branches.

“Oh my!”, I freeze. The male gorilla approaches at a rapid speed. My heart is pounding, I look left and right to see where I can find safety. The gorilla is still looking my way, as he lunges over. I take a step back and the gorilla stops suddenly. It is then that I see to my right, baby gorillas frolicking and playing over the rocks. My heart is still pounding as I realise the gorilla was approaching the babies, not me.

My nerves calm as I make my way back to the path. I need to make a choice. There is a fork in the path; one side is thicker rainforest and the other looks as though more feet have chosen this way. I make the logical choice and choose the worn path, which will hopefully lead back to my tour group.

The bright sun streams through the canopy above, creating a welcome glare after the rain. I hear peaceful splashes bubbling against smooth rocks and the murmur of distant voices. As I walk on down the path, splashes become heavier, voices louder and camera clicks echo above. I approach a bend, still looking at my beautiful surroundings in awe.

“Ouch”, I say aloud, as I bump my knee on a large rock. I look up to see a giant waterfall. My bright blue eyes reflect off the crystal water. I walk around the waterfall slowly, as my hand brushes past the rocks. “There she is”, a husky voice exclaims. Instant relief floods my body as I reunite with my tour group.