The city faded and a muddy path wound through the thorn trees. A golden sky revealed a barn owl searching for signs of night life in the wide stretches of  bush. Blue hills framed the horizon and thorn trees grouped together to form impenetrable barriers, which gradually opened up to tall dry grass.

A rogue elephant tramped though the mud to drink at the water hole. He blew a trunkful of water at the whisperers behind the reed lookout.  Drops tapped gently on the thatch roof and lightning zigzagged across the heavens.