Chapter 6

  Missing Link - Max

  Max wasn't surprised when the otter spoke. He noticed before it said a word its size and knew it had to be a talking otter. There was also the fact that he had not seen an otter in the savannah. He knew there were varieties around, but typically they were smaller. He was clearly a talking beast, as was the large bird that flew down and landed on a tree not far away from Max.

  Max was surprised by what he saw, and it wasn’t the otter's ability to speak, but that Max recognized the otter. This otter was Link, his friend. They played together in the Upper Plains. Their families had been friends for generations. What shocked Max was first that Link was here in the Lower Plains, and that Link didn't recognize him.

  "I will tell you," Link said, while beginning to walk out of the water towards Max.

  The bird let out a “Cheereek.”

  Max recognized that it was an osprey that had interrupted Link.

  Max and Link turned and stared at the bird, which took up a series of loud chirps and cheeks, then launched into the air. It was at this point that Max could see how truly large the bird was. He could tell while it was in the tree that it was at least three feet tall. When it launched into the air, he could see its wingspan was at least eight feet wide. Max could see that it didn't look very happy.

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  "Well," Link paused and wrinkled up his face, and finally said, "I didn't expect to find a talking animal out this way."

  Max was confused. Link was going to say something else. But clearly, whatever that bird had tried to communicate caused him to stop.

  Still, Max looked. and said weakly, doubting himself just a little, "Link.”

  “How did you..." Link said, then took a step back and stared intently at Max. His mouth dropped open.

  The otter shook his head and stared again. Link moved his head one way and then the other. He looked up and down at the calf that was Max, who was now a young bull. Link smiled, then took a few steps forward, reached out his paw toward Max. Max reached out his trunk, and they touched.

  "I never believed I would see you again. Max,” Link said, “Is that? Is that you?"

  Max smiled. "Yes, Link, it's me."

  Tears began to flow down Link's face and off his whiskers. "How did you manage to survive? It's it, you couldn't have survived. But here you are."

  The bird flew over again, letting a complaint be aired that Max didn't understand.

  Link looked up at the bird and said, "Max, from the Upper Plains. Our families are friends."

  The bird flew up into the air again, seeming to ignore Link. Max watched as the birds just took up flying around like it was a vulture waiting for someone to die.

  Max was confused about what was going on, but was still amazed to find his friend. This friend from childhood was standing in front of him in the Lower Plains.

  "How did you survive? There's just,” Link shook his head, “and why are you here? And why did you never come home?"

  "I forgot who I was." Max confessed and then asked, "But why are you here?"

  There was another large chirp from the sky, and Link rolled his eyes. He looked to the heavens, glaring at the bird, then looked back at Max and said, "I'll explain that later. Tell me your story. I want to know how you got here and how you survived falling from the cliff at the Three Rivers.