Part 2

But in the blink of an eye, everything changed!

Mama Bertha reached down with her colossal, heavy hand and placed her thick palm right on top of Kito’s fluffy head. 🦍

She did not roar, nor did she yank him away from the mysterious wall as Kito had feared.

Instead, she let out a gentle, comforting breath that smelled strongly of sweet clover and crushed berries.

She looked at the smudged green panel, then looked down at her small, trembling son with eyes full of ancient wisdom and silent amusement.

She raised one massive thumb, which was as big as Kito’s entire arm, and licked it clean with a slow swipe of her tongue.

With remarkable grace for such a powerful creature, she pressed her wet thumb against the center of the glossy window.

She began to wipe away the thick layer of old fruit paste, dried saliva, and dust that had accumulated over many days.

With three broad, sweeping strokes, she wiped the oval surface entirely clean.

The messy, hazy fog that had covered the glass instantly vanished into thin air.

The bright afternoon sunlight struck the clean surface, making it shine like a pristine mountain lake.

Kito blinked in absolute shock as he looked back into the transformed window.

For the very first time, he could see the image with startling, high-definition clarity.

Every single detail was sharp, vibrant, and utterly unmistakable.

He saw the tiny, messy tuft of dark fur sticking up on top of his own head like a funny little crown.

He saw the small white speck of dry straw caught near his left ear.

He saw the faint ring of mashed banana paste smeared around his own dark lips.

He watched in stunned silence as he pulled his own head back in surprise.

At the exact same instant, the creature inside the green frame pulled his head back too.

Kito raised his small right hand to scratch his left ear in utter confusion.

The stranger inside raised his right hand and scratched his left ear with the exact same clumsy motion.

Kito gasped aloud, his eyes widening to the size of big shiny marbles. 😯

A sudden, breathtaking realization washed over his tiny brain like a splash of cold waterfall spray.

There was no trapped baby gorilla inside the green wall.

There was no secret chamber hidden behind the plastic frame.

There was no long-lost twin brother waiting to be rescued.

The handsome, brave, and extraordinarily kissable creature he had been worshipping for the last hour was actually HIM!

The clear pane was not a doorway into another world.

It was a mirror, reflecting his very own image back into his eyes.

Kito stood completely frozen on the wooden platform, processing this monumental revelation.

He looked down at his own small, dark hands, flexing his fingers one by one.

In the smooth glass, the mirrored hands flexed in identical harmony.

He touched his own soft chest fur, feeling the rhythmic thump of his beating heart beneath his skin.

In the glass, the reflection touched its chest at the exact same millisecond.

A funny, warm feeling began to bloom deep inside Kito’s small belly.

He didn’t feel disappointed or sad that there wasn’t a stranger inside the wall.

In fact, a wave of immense pride and pure joy flooded through his whole body.

If the gorilla in the mirror was actually him, that meant HE was the one who was brave, handsome, and full of fire.

He was the one with the silky dark fur, the charming ears, and the fearless spirit!

He let out a loud, delighted squeal that echoed across the entire sanctuary enclosure. 🎉

He began to do a hilarious victory dance right in front of his own reflection.

He bounced up and down on his back legs, slapping his hands against his thighs in a rhythmic beat.

The reflection bounced and slapped right along with him, creating a synchronized spectacle of pure childhood bliss.