Girl of the Forest <ph>

I live in the forest with my family. My house is made from wood. We lay long leaves on top to keep it dry inside.

To find food is very physical. My mother and father will be gone a long time. I stay at home with my elders.

While I am playing outside with a piglet, I see a beautiful white deer. It seems to beckon me into the forest. I can't fight the pull to follow it.

It leaps through the forest. I have to sprint to keep up. It's not easy with the piglet in a basket on my back, and soon I lose sight of it.

I can't see the stag. But we meet a pangolin eating his breakfast of ants from a rotten log. He has an enormous tongue. His back is covered in a hard armour.

Then we meet a bear. She had found herself a sweet treat of honey comb. I hope the bees didn't sting her too much when she reached in to get it.

I catch sight of the stag, and I am just about to follow it when a massive animal blocks my path. The elephant doesn't hurt me though. He just seems curious and stares at us with the small eyes on either side of his long trunk.

It is common for the sky to open up in a sudden down pour. We hide in a cave to stay out of the heavy rain. The forest animals don't come in. They watch me closely from the entrance.

The rain lasts a long time, and it is dark when I come out of the cave. I am not sure which direction I need to walk to go home. I'm sure my mother and father will be worried by now.

My new friends nudge me down a path. I have no other choice, so I let them choose the way. I follow them until I see the lights on my little hut.

The forest animals have saved me. I thank them before I run the rest of the way, so grateful to be home.

Sometimes I catch sight of the deer in the undergrowth. I never chase him. Now, my mother and father let me go with them to find the fruit we need. I see my animal friends often, living with us in the forest.