The Doughty Warriors: Save The Bears: The Doughty Warriors, #2

1

Rambut Sutera, of the Orang-Asli tribe, was in the forest gathering fresh herbs after the rain. In the monsoon season the rains were heavy. The ground under foot was slippery, the undergrowth was sodden, and the bushes and trees dripped incessantly. Over and above the dripping leaves, the singing cicadas and various other forest noises, scuffling, rustling, animal noises, his sharp ears picked up muffled sounds. He stopped and strained his ears; the sounds were coming from some way off. Carefully, he followed the sounds. As he drew closer, they became clearer, a terrible crying, howling noise a creature in trouble.

Treading softly along the hidden trail, he almost fell into the old bear pit before he saw it. A bear was trapped down there, a female bear, deeply distressed. The pit was half full of water, the ground around it slippery and treacherous. The exhausted, sodden creature was thrashing about at the bottom of the pit, gnawing at the sides, crying, desperately trying to get a hold with her long strong claws and climb out. It looked as if she had been there for a couple of days. The man spoke quietly to the bear and the sound of his voice calmed her. He told her he would get help, and went off at a trot to fetch other members of his tribe.

In only a little time Rambut Sutera returned with half a dozen men. They brought with them long lianas, strong enough to support the weight of the bear, and atap mats which would protect the bear’s flesh from being cut by the lianas as they lifted her. The bear, seeing they were trying to help her, stopped thrashing about, and allowed them to lower the lianas and atap mats into the pit. Skillfully they drew them around her and, when ready, all hauling together, they pulled her slowly upwards, lifting her inch by painful inch, out of the pit.

Eventually on solid ground, they unwound the ropes and matting from the bear, and she was free. But she did not run off as they expected. She padded backwards and forwards, snuffl ing the ground, sniffing the air. She was desperate, crying large watery tears, calling as she searched. The Orang- Asli watched her in dismay. Where were her cubs? She was searching for them. Something was wrong. They must tell the headman about this - the bear was inconsolable.

Deep in the forest, Matahari and Cahaya Bulan were quietly rejoicing at the birth of their new baby son. He was perfect in every way; his little toenails were still pink, as was the tip of his trunk, and the edges of his ears were pink too, but they would get darker as he got older, and he would grow into a fine, strong elephant like his father. His skin was smooth and soft, and his little head was topped with soft, tufty black hair. Cahaya Bulan caressed him gently with her trunk, pulling him closer to her.

This baby was very precious. Eventually he would succeed Matahari as undisputed King of the Forest. He would inherit all the responsibility which went with that role. But, for the time being, until he grew up, Cahaya Bulan would nurture and protect him as much as she could. Here, deep in the forest, surrounded by his tribe, he was safe.

Tunku, as was his custom in the heat of the afternoon, was resting high up in the leafy forest canopy. It was cool up here. He snored gently. Since the great battle with the evil palm oil baron’s men, life in the forest had been reasonably tranquil. There was the occasional hunt, of course. Carnivores must have meat; besides, the hunts disposed of the weak and infirm. Tunku had no complaints; it was a long time since any aspiring young male orang utan had challenged his undisputed authority as leader of his tribe, King of the Canopies.

Life was good, and he was dozing. He was woken by Number One Son, who was to have his naming day in a week’s time. That would be a big day, and there would be feasting in the forest. Number One Son would one day inherit Tunku’s own responsibilities: to look after his tribe and, indeed, the well-being of the forest as a whole. This responsibility Tunku shared with Matahari, the King of the Elephants. Between them, they maintained peace and ensured that all the creatures lived more or less in harmony. Number One Son would, of course, have to fight off hot-headed aspiring young contenders, just as Tunku, his father, had done before him. But Tunku had taught his son well and had no doubt that Number One Son would succeed him.

Tunku stretched contentedly, his seemingly endless arms reaching up through the branches. Flexing his long, slim fingers, he opened his mouth in a huge yawn revealing big, yellow teeth, and gently shook himself, his cheek flaps and silken red coat swaying with the motion.

Hitam Malam, the big moon bear, was padding swiftly along the forest trail. He needed to find Tunku. Hitam Malam was deeply distressed and disturbed; his big head rolled from side to side. Number One Son, ever alert and on the lookout for anything untoward, spotted Hitam Malam far below on the trail; he had not seen him for some time. He bounded down the tree trunk. Landing with a somersault in front of Hitam Malam, Number One Son greeted him with pleasure. Hitam Malam scarcely had time to return Number One Son’s greeting. He told him that he was looking for Tunku and it was urgent. He would say no more. Hitam Malam could be grumpy, Number One Son knew, but he was always courteous. Number One Son was surprised at his abruptness.

Number One Son led Hitam Malam to Tunku’s refuge. Climbing up into the canopy, he told Tunku that Hitam Malam was waiting down below in the forest and wanted to have a word with him. As Tunku had not seen Hitam Malam since the great fight, he wondered what was amiss. The big bear would not come to him unless he had very good reason. Generally, Hitam Malam liked his own company, mixing rarely with the other creatures. Slowly, he only ever moved quickly if it was essential, Tunku climbed down to the ground below.

Hitam Malam was pacing back and forth impatiently. Bears are not known for their patience, and Hitam Malan was no exception. He and Tunku had a long talk and then Hitam Malam set off at a lope. Number One Son could see him following one of the trails to the mangrove swamp. Deep in thought, Tunku climbed back up the tree to his platform where Number One Son was waiting. He sat in silence while Number One Son waited patiently. Eventually Tunku stirred.

There is trouble in the forest again, he said. I think you must tell Matahari. Number One Son was a little afraid of Matahari, ‘Lord of the Jungle’. He was the biggest elephant Number One Son had ever seen, very black, with great long tusks. ‘What can the problem be?’ he thought. But he did not dare ask his father.

Tunku was getting old. Badly wounded in the great battle, he had never really recovered his strength and vitality. Now, he frequently used Number One Son as a messenger. It was good for him to learn how to run the forest, and would stand him in good stead when the time came for him to take over Tunku’s role as Keeper of the Canopies. There was much to learn.

Number One Son set off to find Matahari, who was deep in the damp forest with his new family. Meanwhile, Tunku thought that he had better go and see his wife, Puteri, and their baby son, Number Two, who was growing up fast. There was trouble ahead.

Puteri and Number Two Son were chomping happily on Mangosteens when Tunku arrived. She was pleased to see him. Tunku joined her in the feast and, when they were sated, he told her Hitam Malam’s news. Puteri was worried. ‘Oh no!. The poor bears.’ she thought. Pulling Number Two Son closer to her, she hugged him tightly.

I have sent Number One Son to tell Matahari. I must go to the glade and meet him there. Tunku told her.

Is that wise? You are not as young as you were. Puteri always worried about Tunku. She knew how much he had suffered after the big battle, and there was no doubt he was slowing down.

Yes, I must go, Tunku said decisively. I shall set off today.

Be careful, warned Puteri, giving him a hug and kissing him – a big smacking kiss – on the lips. Number Two Son and I will be here, waiting for you.

---

The children had been back at school for a full term after the summer holidays and had been very busy since the great fight. They had been feted by the Prime Minister, the media and the public. In a way, they were famous, and all because of the big fight. It was most bewildering. After all, they had only tried to save the forest. Well, they had succeeded, but a lot of people were making a big fuss about it. Their pictures had been in the papers, in magazines, lots of photographs which Bert, the photographer, had taken. They had been on television. Even their parents had been interviewed. And all that on top of going to school and doing their homework every day. They were still receiving e.mails on a daily basis from all over the world.

Everything was so exciting, it had been hard settling down to school routine again. But Miss Thompson, their headmistress, had been very helpful. In fact, she was delighted, because parents were now queuing up to send their children to her school. The parents were apparently impressed by the intelligence, initiative and ingenuity of the children she taught (as depicted by the five Doughty Warriors, as they had been dubbed by Shirley Pooper).

Indeed, Miss Thompson had a word with Professor Profundo, Toby’s father, and it was agreed that Botany, Ecology,and Pharmacognosis should forthwith be incorporated in the school curriculum. Professor Profundo had put forward Yusof’s name as an excellent potential teacher. Yusof was Ibrahim and Faradilla’s father. It had been agreed that Yusof would teach at the school three mornings a week.

This pleased Yusof because it made him a little extra money, which he immediately recirculated into his charity for the protection of the forest and its creatures, it gave him a small pension, which would be very useful in the future, and, above all, meant he could spread the word about the importance of saving the forest and its creatures. This was his passion. Ibrahim and Faradilla were very proud of their father.

What are we to do this holiday? asked Vinod.

I shall go to the forest with Bapa, I think, said Ibrahim, thoughtful as ever. He needs a lot of help building the rescue centre. He wants to make it as smart as possible, so people can come and learn about the animals.

But our last holiday was soooo… exciting, said Faradilla with feeling.

I, for one, shall enjoy helping Yusof, added Joseph. But we have so many emails coming in asking for help, and there is a lot of stuff coming in on Twitter too. I’m sure we can do something else, help someone. But with so many emails,and so many people wanting help, I do wonder what we can possibly do. Joseph was genuinely worried the burden of responsibility sitting heavily on his shoulders.

Well, let’s think about it, lah, said Xin-Hui. Let’s make a list of the e.mails, and see which ones we think we can do something about.

Joseph looked at her. ‘Why is Xin-Hui always so practical?’ he wondered.

O.K. They all sat down and started to work.

Joseph and Ibrahim, the two eldest, had received most emails. Vinod and Xin-Hui had received some, and Faradilla was too young, but she was growing up fast. There’s this one about the turtles

Ooooh! I like turtles.

And this one about the coral reefs, and the one about the sharks.

A lot of them are weird. Look at this one asking us to stop governments owning land. I think it’s from a nutter.

And then the one asking us to stop oil rigs. Or what about that one which wanted us to go to Australia and protect the cockatoos?

Ooh, I should like to do that.

Yes, but it is not practical. We are only children. Xin-Hui, as usual, was right.

We should each make a short-list of the things we think we are most likely to be able to do. And then we’ll get together with our shortlists, and decide if there is one we can do something about. We are only children. Joseph repeated Xin- Hui’s sentiment. After all, the great fight had been accidental really. They had fallen into it by chance. It was not as if they had planned to get involved from the outset. And all these emails were rather overwhelming.

I wonder what Toby’s doing. Do you think he will come out for the holiday? asked Vinod.

I know he wants to, but it depends on the Professor. Ibrahim looked rueful. He really hoped Toby would be able to join them.

We will think about our emails. We shall have a great holiday. Do not worry. Vinod said, grinning cheekily. Vinod was determined to support some cause or other. He did not particularly mind which one, but he wanted the activity, the excitement. The great fight with the evil palm oil baron’s men had been so exciting. His eyes widened as he thought of it. ‘So exciting!’

He jumped up, yelling Race you to the pool.

Laughing, they raced to the pool, Faradilla, as usual, bringing up the rear. Diving in, they splashed and swam like fishes, as if they did not have a care in the world.

2

Frantically, Hitam Malam was searching for members of his family. He had to know. Everyone needed to be accounted for. As he padded along, his brain was racing. ‘Two cubs known about. How many more? Who has taken them? Where have they gone?’ Orkid, their mother, was inconsolable. Hitam Malam knew that if they were to be found, the whole forest would have to be geared into action. And they must move fast, very fast. Once the cubs were out of the forest, there would be little chance of ever finding them. He quickened his pace, praying to the Great God of the Bears ‘Please do not let there be any more.’

Ibrahim was deep in the forest with his father, Yusof, gathering herbs and bark for Yusof’s research, and for medicines. Yusof treated all the creatures in his care with herbal medicines he prepared himself, and they worked extraordinarily well. Swinging through