PART 2

But in the blink of an eye, everything changed!

Just as Barnaby was about to spring upward like a mountain lion launching from a rock, his stomach gave a sudden, mighty surge.

The sheer volume of bamboo shoots, figs, and wild berries he had devoured earlier decided to take revenge on his ambition. 🍌

Instead of a mighty, terrifying alpha roar echoing across the valley, what came out of Barnaby’s mouth was a massive, uncontrollable burp!

The sound was so loud, deep, and vibratory that it rattled the very ground beneath his reclined body.

It sounded like a rusty foghorn blowing through a dark cavern.

The blast of wind from his wide-open mouth hit the lightweight drone full force!

The tiny quadcopter wobbled violently in mid-air, its four spinning blades sputtering under the sudden acoustic assault.

It spun out of control like a dizzy bumblebee caught in a mountain gale.

BZZZZZT!

The machine lurched sideways, crashed straight into a cluster of wet foliage, and bounced off a thick vine.

With a final metallic whine, the drone plunged straight down through the branches.

It landed with a soft thud right in the center of Barnaby’s vast, furry belly!

The silverback froze completely, not daring to twitch even a single hair.

He slowly angled his chin down to stare at his stomach.

There, sitting peacefully on his warm black fur, was the small, battered flying machine.

Its red light was no longer blinking angrily; it was now flashing a soft, steady green.

Its propellers had completely stopped spinning, silent and defeated.

Barnaby held his breath, staring at the little intruder resting on his stomach.

For a long moment, absolute silence returned to the lush jungle canopy.

The birds stopped chirping, waiting to see how the great silverback king would destroy his fallen enemy.

Barnaby cautiously raised his left hand, spreading his huge, thick fingers over the machine.

He touched the sleek plastic casing with extreme gentleness, tapping it with the tip of his fingernail.

Clack. Clack.

The object was smooth and cool, completely unlike anything he had ever felt in the forest.

He realized then that this strange intruder wasn’t a predator, nor was it an angry monster bug.