Cheetalope: Part II

Part I

For many months Mother Cheetah raises her cub, Musoke. They hunt and sleep in the jungle, feeding on small animals. True to her word, Mother Cheetah does not leave the island between two rivers, and does not allow Musoke to leave. True to their word, the Elephants keep the Men away from mother and cub, and keep themselves hidden as well.

Musoke grows larger and stronger. He is happy with the jungle to live in, with rabbits and wild pigs to eat, with only his mother for companionship. Musoke is happy with this life because he knows no other.

Mother Cheetah, however, knows running on the open plains, knows high pursuit of antelope, knows mates and sisters and other cheetahs. Mother Cheetah wastes away knowing what she is missing. Musoke, in his innocent birthing hours, healed the wounds of her flesh, but could not heal or understand the wounds in her heart, and the wounds in her heart are those that kill Mother Cheetah.

It is when Musoke can fully care for himself that Mother Cheetah tells Musoke about his siblings and the day he was born. Mother Cheetah tells him about the morning, Cheetah, and his antelope brother's death. Mother Cheetah tells him about the noontime, Antelope, and his cheetah sister's death.

After these wisdoms are imparted, draining the last of Mother Cheetah's waning strength, Mother Cheetah departs the jungle island for the land of the dead. She is gone, leaving Musoke on his own.

"I am alone," Musoke says to the darkness. "My brother is dead. My sister is dead. My mother is gone," he says to the emptiness. And his happiness is gone, replaced with sorrow and anger.

Part II.V

The morning after his mother's death, Musoke sets out to right the wrongs visited upon his family. He goes south in the jungle, towards the plains where the cheetahs live.

Before Musoke reaches the river he must cross, runs into a strange creature, the likes of which he has never seen. She stands on two feet and holds a basket with two hands, and her dark eyes are very wide. This creature is larger than any other Musoke knows. He lashes out in fright, and keeps running as fast as he can. The creature, deeply wounded, does not follow.

When Musoke reaches the south river, he crosses to the south plains. Fining the place where Cheetah is, Musoke hides in the dense bushes, where his horn cannot be seen, and watches until Cheetah is alone.

"I see you there, friend." Cheetah calls when the others like him are gone. "Come out and keep an old one company." Musoke emerges from the vegetation. He brandishes his horns, and Cheetah is stricken with fear. Musoke advances, but Cheetah has grown old and feeble, and is unable to escape.

"This is for my brother!" Musoke cries, and strikes Cheetah down.

Without pausing a moment, he turns north, towards the jungle. Before crossing the south river, Musoke drinks deeply to refresh himself.

In the jungle he does not stop, but continues with caution towards the north river, and the north plains beyond. When Musoke reaches the north river, he crosses to the north plains. Finding the place where Antelope is, Musoke hides himself in the tall grass, and watches until Antelope is alone.

"I see you there, friend." Antelope calls out when the others like him are gone. "Come out and graze wit me." Musoke runs from the grass, making no effort to hide his spots, and Antelope is stricken with fear. Musoke advances, and his youth and speed give Antelope no chance to escape.

"This is for my sister!" Musoke cries, and strikes Antelope down.

Without pausing a moment, he turns south, towards the jungle. Before crossing the north river, Musoke drinks deeply to refresh himself.

Musoke returns to his home in the jungle and, near sundown, sets about hunting for his dinner. Before he can catch sight of any prey, Musoke is cornered by another unfamiliar creature. This creature is large and leathery with tusks and a trunk and very heavy feet, and it is not alone. Musoke has never seen an elephant before, and cowers in fear as the pair stamps in circles around him.

"Musoke!" the Elephants cry together. "We have seen your deeds."
"Today you killed Cheetah when you did not need to. He was no threat to you," says one of the elephants.

Musoke is afraid and cannot summon words to defend himself.

"Musoke!" they cry together again. "We have seen your deeds."
"Today you killed Antelope when you did not need to. he was not food for you," says the other elephant.

Musoke still cowers as the elephants circle him, saying nothing in his defense.

"Musoke. You will be punished for your deeds." Together the Elephants seize Musoke with their mighty trunks and tie him, high in the trees, by his horns and by his tail. No matter his cries for help, the Elephants leave Musoke and walk into the darkness.

Part III