Abby's Plight

Her best friend, a Rhesus Monkey, is about to lose his home.For the 30 Day Image Prompt.

Abby's Plight.

For a nine year old, Abby showed determination beyond her years. This was the third letter they had written in the past week. Not sharing the same certainty and naïve hope, James prayed that his daughter would not be heart-broken. He reminded Abby, again, what a slow process change usually was. This was a battle he didn’t think they would win, but he did not have the heart to tell Abby his belief.

“Why can’t we buy the land dad? Then we could give it to Mr. Ainright.”

“I’ve told you Abby, Its crown land and that means it isn’t for sale. That is why Mr. Ainright hasn’t been able to buy it. The land belongs to the government. Now they want it back.”

“But they let Mr. Ainright use it before. Why did they take it away? It’s not fair dad. They can’t just get rid of the monkeys!”

The director, Mr. Ainright, had called a meeting early in the week. For a few years he, and other’s in the community, had fought hard against the installation of a pipeline across this area of land. Now the battle was lost. The lease was up and he was given two months to find a new home for eight animals, including a zebra, a donkey, four horses, and two rhesus monkeys – Jeffrey and an older female named Sasha. A large area of land would be lost. The remaining land, almost ten acres, was owned by the foundation that operated the sanctuary. Although room had been made for the other animals, it was budget restrictions that made it impossible to move the existing monkey enclosure. The monkeys would have to be moved to a new facility. Abby did not take the news well.

The sanctuary had been Abby’s favorite place to explore over the past two years, since they moved to the community. James began his work there as a Zoologist, and Abby enjoyed after school visits while she waited for him to finish his workday. She often accompanied him on emergency call in’s.

Abby’s favorite place to hide out was in front of the monkey’s enclosure. She had taken particular liking to a young, energetic rhesus monkey named Jeffrey. From what James could tell, the monkey had also taken a liking to her.  They had both arrived at the sanctuary on the same day. Jeffrey had been badly neglected by his owner. They believed he was born in captivity and sold on the black market. He was found abandoned and injured, hiding in the hay loft of a neglected barn. Jeffrey was terrified at first, until Abby found her way to the enclosure. She would share her daily reading lessons, sing songs, and generally be good company. Jeffrey would push against the wire boundary, hands reaching towards Abby. After a few weeks, he took to climbing on the rope swing, which Abby had insisted they install, and watch her. Sometimes, as she sung, his demeanor would reflect her angelic voice. He would close his eyes in peaceful relaxation.

It was a week later that Abby’s frustrations rose to a peak. No return mail had been received and no phone calls returned. The Foundation board had appealed for grant funds to allow for a new enclosure, with no success. Abby was infuriated. She entered the kitchen earlier than usual on a warm Saturday morning, announcing that she would be busy for the day. James smiled at her, amused by such an adult declaration. “Doing what?” he asked.

“I have made a pledge form. You know, like the ones we use for fundraising at school. I’m going to get enough money pledged that we can have a new enclosure for Jeffrey and Sasha. “

Seeing James’ eyes raise in preparation for a defeatist protest, Abby stood firm.

“I’m not giving up on them dad! Jeffrey would never give up on me!”

Abby spent the entire day going door to door, she met with many of the local business owners as she entered the stores and businesses and announced that she was not leaving until they came to hear what she had to say.  She covered many residential areas, door to door, and an amazing thing happened. People started to join her plight. By the end of the day Abby had seventy followers, including children and adults. Her determination had worked.

Running with Abby’s initial idea, the community spent another few weeks raising funds for the cause. An appeal was sent to other, neighboring communities, and soon the money poured in. It was to everyone’s delight that enough had been raised to build a new enclosure, and renovate existing structures at the Sanctuary. Abby was thrilled. With the support came less resistance and the Foundation was given an additional six months to finalize the move.

Abby was a hero. Her plight gained center page in the local newspaper, and she was called for an interview from the larger city newscast. Abby didn’t care. What mattered to her was Jeffrey. She had kept him well informed during her plight.

On a sunny afternoon, she sat joyously in front of the enclosure. Jeffrey found his swing. We did it! She declared and Jeffrey closed eyes in peaceful sanctity.



872 words. Written for the 30 Day Image Prompt Contest.