The White Ape

           TenderlyKalanursedherlittlewaif,wonderingsilentlywhyitdidnotgainstrengthandagilityasdidthelittleapesofothermothers.Itwasnearlyayearfromthetimethelittlefellowcameintoherpossessionbeforehewouldwalkalone,andasforclimbing—my,buthowstupidhewas!

           Kalasometimestalkedwiththeolderfemalesaboutheryounghopeful,butnoneofthemcouldunderstandhowachildcouldbesoslowandbackwardinlearningtocareforitself.Why,itcouldnotevenfindfoodalone,andmorethantwelvemoonshadpassedsinceKalahadcomeuponit.

           HadtheyknownthatthechildhadseenthirteenmoonsbeforeithadcomeintoKala’spossessiontheywouldhaveconsidereditscaseasabsolutelyhopeless,forthelittleapesoftheirowntribewereasfaradvancedintwoorthreemoonsaswasthislittlestrangeraftertwenty-five.

           Tublat,Kala’shusband,wassorelyvexed,andbutforthefemale’scarefulwatchingwouldhaveputthechildoutoftheway.

           "Hewillneverbeagreatape,"heargued."Alwayswillyouhavetocarryhimandprotecthim.Whatgoodwillhebetothetribe?None;onlyaburden.

           "Letusleavehimquietlysleepingamongthetallgrasses,thatyoumaybearotherandstrongerapestoguardusinouroldage."

           "Never,BrokenNose,"repliedKala."IfImustcarryhimforever,sobeit.