They had started their evening, sat round the camp fire, Tina watching the excited look on Bette's face as they had recounted stories of their last day out in the wilderness Together. "Did today really happen T?" Bette had asked, a look of quiet reverence on her face.

They had stopped at a small village in the morning to purchase essential supplies for their last meal together, Tina commenting that it was a shame they didn't have oranges, as the local elephants seemed to like them so much. At Bette's look of disappointment, Tina had picked up a ruby red grapefruit in the hope that it would hold the same attraction for them.

As they approached the slowly flowing river, Tina had pointed out the two females in the distance, ambling slowly along, a young elephant in tow. Tina had stopped the vehicle, and making sure they were safe from any other wildlife that may be lurking, gave Bette the grapefruit, and motioned for her to leave the vehicle. Bette had slowly and cautiously walked around to the front of the Land Rover, as Tina sat, camera in hand, hoping she would not be disappointed.

The baby elephant had looked across towards the women, aware of their presence but seeming to be unfazed by it, more interested in wrapping his trunk around the short tufts of grass in front of him. Bette had watched intrigued that the elephant seemed to display impatience at his inability to grab his meal, each time he curled and lifted his trunk, leaving the grass stubbornly swaying in the breeze in defiance.

Bette had laughed out loud at the spectacle, once again attracting the frustrated and hungry youngster's interest. Bette had slowly reached out her hands and held the grapefruit in front of her silently praying that it was a suitable alternative to oranges.

Slowly the baby elephant lifted his head from the grasses and began walking along the river. He did not stop to graze nor did he look around, but walked with clear determination and intention, towards the awaiting brunette. As he had neared her, he paused, and had raised his trunk fully above his head and had curled it over then under into an almost impossible knot.

The baby elephant had lowered it's head then, and had carefully unfurled it's trunk, before flapping his ears excitedly, and had run over to the waiting brunette, his ungainly gait reminding her of a child taking it's first uncertain steps.

The baby elephant had stopped, no more than a trunks distance away from her, and stared her in the eye. Bette had been mesmerised, afraid to move a muscle in case she scared him away.

They stayed that way for minutes neither moving, a feeling of peace washing over Bette as she had  looked into the large jet black eyes protected by long curly eyelashes, any woman would be proud of. Then slowly but surely the elephants curiosity got the better of him. He reached out gently with his trunk raising it towards Bette's face. She had been shocked at the rush of air she felt as he sniffed her face, the tiny hairs on the tip of his trunk tickling her as he grazed her skin softly. Without warning she had sneezed then, the tickling sensation becoming to much for her sensitive nose.

With a snort he had withdrawn his trunk sharply, a startled expression on his face. It took a few more minutes before he had been brave enough to once again explore the beauty before him, raising his trunk to touch her face, like a blind man feeling his way.

He had finally stepped forward, as his trunk found its way to the treat awaiting him held loosely in Bette's hand. Bette had kept hr arms raised, turning her palms upwards, offering him her special treat. He had wrapped his trunk around the fruit, bringing it eagerly to his small mouth, pushing it in forcefully like a child eating a piece of chocolate cake with his fingers.

The grapefruit burst on contact with his small but powerful teeth, spurting it's juice onto Bette. She had watched as he had moved his jaws together chewing quickly before swallowing his unusual delicacy.

He had continued to stand, watching Bette intently, before lowering his trunk to the grass around them, and had gently grabbed at a small acacia shoot no more than 6" tall, and  lifted it gently from the ground, shaking the dirt from it's root, before laying it gently in Bette's still upturned hands.

Suddenly the spell they had found themselves in was broken, as in the distance his mother could be heard calling him, her trunk raised high in the air. The baby elephant had trumpeted his call back to his mother, and taking one last long look at Bette, the baby elephant turned and walked leisurely towards his patiently waiting mother.

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