The One and Only Ruby

Ruby remembers the game she used to play at night. She would pull Jabori’s hat off his head and throw it in the corner of the enclosure, where Odongo would bury it.

One morning, Ruby resentfully stayed in while the other elephants played outside; she’d gotten a thorn in her foot the previous day. Jabori comforted her but then had to go to help out with other elephants. Odongo left to hunt.

Ruby smelled smoke. Worried, she trumpeted, but no one heard her. Ramming her door, Ruby managed to escape. The orphanage was quiet; no one was around.