Diego is a special leopard. I found him while we were having a picnic in Brazil, near the Amazon Rainforest.
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I happily enjoyed my picnic, while I was talking nineteen to the dozen with my parents. Suddenly, I saw the silhouette of a leopard. I quickly gestured to my parents. They told me to stay calm and when it comes towards me, just give it a piece of my beef. They told me loads of things that they thought would be able to comfort me, but instead, it made my heart palpitate even faster! Seeing this scene made my knees and hands quiver, my hands became all hot and sweaty, as I clenched onto my father’s arm tightly.
The leopard approached me slowly and I told myself to stay calm no matter what. When it finally approached me, I put my piece of beef in the centre of my palm. The leopard sniffed it. He then gobbled it up quickly and nuzzled his head against me. I knew right away that we became friends. Phew, what a dicey situation! The leopard stayed with me for a few weeks, and soon, we were more than friends. I treated the leopard as our family member. I named the leopard Diego.
One other day, we went to a picnic, this time with Diego. The afternoon sun was high up in the cerulean sky. Shortly after my meal, Diego walked towards the direction of the Amazon Rainforest. After a few steps, he turned around and looked at me. I immediately knew that he wanted me to follow him. So I told my parents to wait for me and I would be fine.
So Diego let me ride on his back, and we galloped off. Diego was galloping at top speed. When we reached the Amazon Rainforest, Diego let me off his back. I looked around, they were loads of leopards. Some small, some big. I had met his family! The Rainforest was a tall and dense jungle. Towering trees were surrounding the forest like guards. There I liked loads of flowers, especially the bird of paradise. It smelt like nature. It made me feel relaxed. The singing of the birds filled the air. The air was cool and crisp. There were butterflies flying all around us. I could even see some waterfalls around us. Then Diego looked at me, and I looked back at him. He looked elated to be with his family. His family members seemed to be happy to have him back well fed. Just then, I decided to let Diego stay with his family.
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“Diego, you look so euphoric to be with your family members, and your family seems so glad to have you back again. Why don’t you stay with your family?” I asked Diego. (Of course, I didn’t expect Diego to reply to me). But it looked as if Diego understood every single word of mine! At first, he looked crestfallen and wanted to follow me. But then, he looked at his family members and they looked depressed to let him go with me. So, at last, he decided to stay with his family. His family members looked happy with his return. He then turned his head to ‘leopard talk’ to them. After some time, Diego turned to me and crouched down, looked at me and looked at his back. I knew that he wanted to help ride me home so that I would not lose my way.
When we arrived, we said our last goodbyes to each other as grief-stricken tears streaming down my face. I embraced Diego firmly and swore on my heart that I would come and visit him again. “You have been something like a best friend to me. You have made me a wonderful and unforgettable adventure. So I am sure that you will do the same with your family members. We have had a lot of fun together for weeks, but it is now time to say farewell. Stay safe, dearest Diego, go back to your family now.” I told Diego, as I waved my farewells to him. With a last look at me, he slowly walked away as I looked at him, with me first sobbing. But as Diego walked away, I started to remember the times that we had together, which made me shed my tears.
After Diego left, I told my parents all about our adventures and they liked them a lot. We all agreed that we were really lucky to have Diego with us and not to be sad now that Diego is gone. From then onwards, we come to picnic here every month to see Diego and his
family. This place has become my favourite place ever since.
~ The End ~
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