Good Morning, Gorillas - Mary Pope Osborne [2]
“Did Morgan leave us a new secret rhyme?” asked Jack.
He shined the flashlight on a book lying under the window. A piece of paper was sticking out of the book.
“Yes!” said Annie. She picked up the book and pulled out the paper.
Jack shined his light on the paper while Annie read aloud:
Dear Annie and Jack,
Good luck on your second journey to find a special magic. This secret rhyme will guide you:
To find a special kind of magic
in worlds so far apart,
speak a special language,
talk with your hands and heart.
Thank you,
Morgan
“What kind of language does she mean?” Jack asked.
“I guess we’ll find out,” said Annie. “Where are we going?”
Jack shined the flashlight on the cover of the book. It showed huge trees partly hidden by mist. The title was:
AN AFRICAN RAIN FOREST
“Rain forest?” said Jack. “Good thing we brought our umbrella and flashlight. Remember the rain in the Amazon rain forest? Remember how dark it was under the treetops?”
“Yeah,” said Annie. “Remember the spiders and scary ants?”
“Well … ,” Jack said, “not all rain forests have the same bugs.”
“Remember the river snakes?” said Annie. “And the crocodiles?”
“Well … ,” said Jack, “not all rain forests have big rivers. There are different kinds of rain forests, you know.”
“Right,” said Annie. She pointed to the cover of the book. “I wish we could go there.”
The wind started to blow.
“Oh, remember the jaguar?” said Annie. “And the vampire bats?”
“Wait!” said Jack.
But it was too late. The wind was blowing harder. The tree house started to spin.
It spun faster and faster.
Then everything was still.
Absolutely still.
Jack opened his eyes.
“I can’t tell what kind of rain forest this is,” said Annie. She stared out the window.
Jack looked out, too. It seemed to be daytime, but he couldn’t see much of anything. The quiet forest was covered with fog.
Jack opened their research book and read:
The misty rain forest in the mountains of central Africa is called a “cloud forest.”
“Oh, I get it,” said Annie. “We’re up so high, it’s like we’re in a cloud.”
“Cool,” said Jack. He pulled out his notebook and wrote:
Then he read more:
The African cloud forest is home to many animals, including elephants, water buffaloes, black leopards …
Jack looked up.
“Black leopards?” he said.
“Don’t worry,” said Annie.
Jack cleared his throat and kept reading:
… antelopes, wild hogs, and gorillas.
“Gorillas?” said Annie.
“Don’t worry,” said Jack.
“I’m not worried. I love gorillas,” said Annie. “They’re totally great!”
“I don’t know about that,” said Jack. He pictured huge apes pounding their chests. “I’d like to study them, though. Write down their habits and behavior, just like a real scientist.”
“Whatever,” said Annie. “Let’s just go. This’ll be a fun adventure!” She took off down the ladder.
Jack threw his notebook, the research book, and the flashlight into his pack. He hooked the umbrella over his arm. Then he followed Annie.
When they stepped onto the ground, Jack could see better. The fog had turned into a fine mist.
Jack and Annie started through the cloud forest. They walked around huge trees draped with moss. They pushed past tall shrubs and leafy plants.
“Wow, look at that tree,” said Annie.
She pointed to a fat tree. It had wide lower limbs padded with thick cushions of moss.
“It looks like a piece of furniture,” said Annie, “like an armchair.”
“Yeah,” said Jack. “I better draw it.”
He put the umbrella on the ground. He pulled the flashlight out of his pack and put it next to the umbrella. Then he took out his notebook and pencil.
As Annie walked ahead, Jack started to draw a simple picture of the fat tree.
“Hey, Jack,” Annie called in a whispery voice. “Come here. Quick!”
Jack grabbed his pack. He moved around the tree and caught up with Annie.
“Listen,” she said.
Jack heard branches snap.
Crack!
A leopard? he wondered.
Crack! Crack!
Jack nervously looked around the forest.
“Maybe we should go back up to the tree house,” he said. “We could read a little more and learn a little more.