Four days later, and they were driving out of the park gate, all feeling down that it was over.

“I miss Juan already!” sniffed Narina to Phiwo. “I can’t wait to see him at the end of the year.”
“I heard that. See Juan? How’s that going to happen?” said Lesley, craning to look back at her daughter.

“We are both gonna take gap years and meet up and travel in Europe. I swear we are serious. It will happen.”

“Well … that’s several months ahead and you have Matric to travel through first. Don’t be distracted. Not to mention magic up a ticket from fresh air,” her mother said sarcastically.

“Aww Mom. Please just let me be broken-hearted and dream in peace for a bit, asseblief!”

Lesley laughed. “Okay, sorry darling. And I must admit, he is a lovely boy. Lovely family in fact. They’ve invited us to visit Colombia. I’m seriously thinking we should go.”

“Whaaat! Oh yes please mommy! At the end of the year, please please!”

“Hah – it’ll take a lot more time than that to save up the money. But … y’know … goals.”

There was silence for a while then Phiwo said, “You were so right about us having more trouble from humans than wild animals, btw.”

“Oh my word. Can you imagine how embarrassed Lesley and I are going to be? Confessing to your parents about being the idiotic humans who nearly let you fall into the hands of those killer poacher humans.”

“I won’t tell if you won’t tell,” said Phiwo. “Let’s just lie that we broke down in the wrong place at the wrong time … and not say anything about the dead phone. After all, I want to come back with you next year.”

They all laughed, then Phiwo said: “Well I have some good news. Um … Desmond is coming to the matric dance with me.” She blushed as they all cheered.

“No way … awesome!” said Narina, meanwhile feeling a heartsore jealous stab. “I’m so jelly. But, friend, we totally failed to do any dress planning.”

“Mxm … you failed, owing to too much Juan-time. But I have us all sorted.” She took her sketch book out of her backpack. “Here is my design for your dress. It’s called ‘Forest Jewel’ and is inspired by the …?” she said, showing her friend the sketch.

“… Narina Trogon! Oh my word, I love it! Who needs a partner when you rock a dress like this?”

“And here is mine, Spirit of the Kruger, inspired by the Green winged pytilia.”

“Let me see those!” demanded Lesley. “Ooooh … they are just gorgeous, so creative and unique. Phiwo, you have real talent.”

“Thanks guys. So now, am I going to be a nature-inspired, enviro-friendly clothes designer, or an environmentalist of some sort?”

“How about both?” said Grant.

“Okay, no problem with that,” agreed Phiwo.

 ***

Tell us what you think: At the start of the story Lesley said she thinks that all children need to be introduced to and appreciate wild places left in our country. Do you agree that they are important? Why or why not?