The Gibbon's Swing

The Gibbon's Swing - Author : Aysel Banu YAVUZAL

High in the magical rainforest, where vines hung like twisted ropes and mist curled around the tallest trees, lived a young gibbon named Gibby. Her fur was soft cream and pale grey, and her face was dark and round. She wore a woven vine bracelet with a single red berry bead. Every morning she swung from branch to branch, her long arms reaching far ahead of her small body. 1

Gibby loved the way the wind rushed past her ears as she flew through the leaves. She could swing from one tree to another in a single, happy swoop. Below her, the forest floor was dark and quiet, but up in the treetops everything was bright and green. 'This is the best place in the whole world,' she chirped to the morning sun, her amber-brown eyes sparkling with joy. 2

One day, as Gibby rested on a mossy branch, she heard a tiny rustling sound. Peeking around a leaf, she saw a slow loris named Lumi. He had fluffy golden-brown fur, enormous round dark eyes with pale rings around them, and a tiny wet nose. He wore a small leaf satchel across his body. Lumi moved very slowly, one little stubby leg at a time, and he looked a bit sad. 3

'Hello,' said Gibby gently. 'My name is Gibby. What's wrong?' Lumi looked up with his big, shy eyes. 'I'm Lumi,' he whispered. 'I wish I could swing through the trees like you, but my legs are short and my arms are small. I can only climb slowly, and I get so tired.' Gibby's heart felt a little squeeze of kindness. 4

Gibby wanted to help her new friend. She swung down to Lumi's branch and sat beside him. 'Don't worry,' she said. 'We'll find a way for you to travel high in the trees too.' Lumi's round eyes grew wide with hope. 'Really?' he asked. 'Really,' said Gibby. 'But I don't know how yet. Let's ask the other animals for ideas.' 5

First they visited Mama Fig, the wise orangutan who lived in the oldest tree. She was large and broad, with shaggy reddishorange fur and a calm, warm smile. Her long strong arms rested on her knees, and a braided grass belt held smooth round stones around her waist. 'Mama Fig,' said Gibby, 'Lumi can't swing. How can he travel in the treetops?' Mama Fig thought for a moment. 6

Mama Fig smiled gently, her dark brown eyes soft. 'You need sturdy branches and wide platforms,' she said. 'Places where Lumi can rest and catch his breath. Build a trail that everyone can use.' Gibby nodded, her tuft of fur bouncing. 'A treetop trail!' she cried. 'With resting places for everyone!' Lumi's tiny nose twitched with excitement. 7

Next, they found Pip the hummingbird, who was darting among the flowers. Pip was tiny, smaller than a thumb, with iridescent emerald-green feathers and a ruby-red throat. He wore a tiny acorn-cap hat tied with a yellow grass thread. 'Pip,' said Gibby, 'can you help us find the best route for a treetop trail?' Pip buzzed with delight. 'I know every branch and vine!' 8

Pip zipped from tree to tree, scouting the best path. 'Here's a strong branch!' he chirped. 'And here's a good spot for a platform!' Gibby and Lumi followed slowly, with Lumi climbing carefully and Gibby swinging alongside. They marked the way with little vine knots. The rainforest was full of friendly sounds: the hum of bees, the whisper of leaves, and the tap-tap of Pip's beak on bark. 9

As they explored, they met other animals who wanted to help. A family of squirrels offered twigs. A gentle turtle showed them a wide, flat rock that could be a resting place. Even the butterflies fluttered along, showing where the sun shone warmest. Everyone had an idea, and everyone wanted to make the trail safe for all. 'Teamwork makes it better,' said Gibby, her red berry bracelet swinging. 10

Building the trail was hard work. Gibby used her long arms to tie vines around sturdy branches. Lumi, though slow, was careful and patient. He wove soft leaves into cozy resting spots. Mama Fig lifted heavy branches with her strong arms and placed wide platforms where everyone could sit. Pip flew back and forth, bringing news of the best spots. Slowly, the treetop trail began to grow. 11

Finally, the trail was ready. It wound through the tallest trees, with wide platforms and gentle slopes. Lumi took a deep breath and started to climb. He moved slowly, but steadily. At each resting place, he paused to catch his breath and look around. 'I'm doing it!' he squeaked. 'I'm traveling high in the trees!' Gibby swung beside him, cheering. 'You are! You are!' 12

Lumi reached the highest platform and looked out over the rainforest. His huge round eyes sparkled. 'I never thought I could see this view,' he said softly. 'Thank you, Gibby.' Gibby sat beside him, her cream fur glowing in the dappled light. 'We did it together,' she said. 'Friends help each other, even when they move in different ways.' Lumi nodded, his tiny paw touching his leaf satchel. 13

From that day on, the treetop trail was busy with animals. Squirrels raced along the vine bridges. Butterflies rested on the wide platforms. Mama Fig often sat on a big branch, watching everyone with a warm smile. Pip darted here and there, keeping the trail safe. And Lumi traveled high in the trees whenever he liked, stopping at every resting place to say hello.