Mr. Ape and the Great Feast of Njinikijim

We all know Moses, yes? The man in the Bible who led the Israelites out of Egypt. But has anyone ever wondered why Moses did nothing about that burning bush? When I was a child, we sang a song:
"Moses in the burning bush, Moses in the burning bush..."
But as my classmates sang with joy, I always wondered why didn’t Moses put out the fire to save the forest.
Well, long before Moses and his burning bush, there was another tale about a different fire a fire that started not with flames, but with greed.
Once upon a time, in the vibrant forest of Njinikijim, lived a young girl named Mia. Mia loved the forest and all its creatures, so every year, she invited five animal representatives to a grand feast at her home on the high cliffs. It was a celebration of balance between humans and nature, a time to listen to the voices of the forest.
This year, the animals chose their five delegates carefully: the wise elephant, the cautious rhino, the clever hyena, the patient tortoise, and, of course, Mr. Ape a lively and mischievous creature with a very large appetite.
A helicopter was sent to pick them up, lifting them high above the forest and toward Mia’s home. As they arrived, Mia greeted her old friends warmly, but she was busy preparing the feast, so she assigned a hostess to take care of them.
"Welcome, my dear guests," the hostess said. "I am here to ensure that all of you are well taken care of."
Before she could finish, Mr. Ape jump enter.
"Ah! That must be me! Mr. All of You at your service!"
And so, each time the hostess brought food and drinks meant for all of you, Mr. Ape took them all for himself. Plate after plate, jug after jug he devoured everything, leaving nothing for the others.
By the end of the night, Mr. Ape was so full, that he could barely move. The other animals, tired and hungry, decided to leave without him. But when Mr. Ape tried to squeeze onto the helicopter, he realized he had eaten so much, he no longer fit!
Panicked, he called out to the rhino, "Please, go home and tell my wife to pack an air mattress! I will throw myself down from the cliff in three days!"
The rhino delivered the message, and as instructed, Mr. Ape’s wife prepared the air mattress. But the elephant and hyena, still bitter about Mr. Ape’s greed, saw an opportunity for revenge.
"This will teach him a lesson," they whispered to each other as they replaced the mattress with something else ancient, towering trees that had stood for centuries.
On the third day, Mr. Ape leaped from the cliff, expecting a soft landing. Instead—CRACK! —he crashed into the fallen trees. His arms stretched long, his legs bent, and that is why, to this day, apes no longer walk on two feet.
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The Message
For centuries, the forest of Njinikijim thrived because every creature took only what they needed. But greed disrupted that balance just as it does in our world today.
•    Mr. Ape’s hunger for more mirrors how humans overconsume resources clearing forests, draining rivers, and polluting the land.
•    The elephant and hyena, seeking short-term revenge, caused long-term damage just like industries that destroy nature in the name of profit or retaliation.
•    And Mia, the young girl who tried to bring everyone together, represents the youth of today those calling for climate justice, sustainable solutions, and a future where humans and nature thrive together.
This story reminds us that climate action is not just about protecting trees it’s about protecting balance. Greed leads to destruction, but wisdom, like Mia’s, can lead to renewal.
So, the question is: will we be like Moses and watch the fire burn? Or will we, like Mia, listen to the voices of the forest and act before it’s too late?

The End. 

By Jumwoh Miguel