The White Giraffe

Though Martine still feels a great emotional distance between herself and her grandmother, Gwyn often shows her small acts of kindness, like serving her pie or leaving her flowers, a practice that makes her feel less alone at the game reserve. Gwyn doesn’t allow Martine into the reserve, but she lets her feed the baby elephant, Shaka, who is staying in the animal sanctuary. Tendai and his helper Samson care for many sick and injured animals in the sanctuary area of the reserve, and Martine is given the responsibility of providing water for the animals each morning. She also spends all her extra time reading books about animals, particularly giraffes. She begins to feel a kinship with the animals and senses that they know when she has had a difficult day. Martine also enjoys listening to Tendai’s stories from Zulu folklore. However, Gwyn forbids Tendai from allowing Martine to see Grace again. Gwyn is also very secretive about the game reserve, and though she allows the new game warden to give tours there on weekdays, she refuses to allow Martine inside.

Martine lies awake most nights, grieving the loss of her parents and wondering why her grandmother never talks about them.