Guest blogger: Heather G
I loved reading Annika’s pygmy hippo diary from Gola last week. From the outset I was hooked. It had everything that’s needed for a great story.
First, there’s the setting. It really is another world, one of adventure and wonder (and somewhere I’d like to go). I’ve been lucky enough to visit tropical forests elsewhere, and the sounds of a rainforest are like no other. Many sounds are so different from more familiar wildlife you can’t be sure if they come from mammals, birds, insects or something else. It’s mysterious and mesmerising.
Then there’s the main characters of the story – lovable, undeniably cute pygmy hippos. I’m seeing them as an old fashioned heroine. Vulnerable and in need of rescue, but sassy - they certainly kept everyone on their toes!
All good stories have drama and suspense. Time is running out for our heroine. Would they catch a hippo? Would they even see one? And a whiff of danger as Annika was trying to get back to the camp, with a storm lashing the windscreen, wheels slipping in the mud, and trees falling across the road.
And we’re left on a cliff hanger, as this trip did not result in successfully catching a hippo. The scene is set for a sequel.
But wait, haven’t I forgotten something? What about the hero? Every good story needs a hero. That’s where you all come in. We couldn’t do this work without your support.
To give this story a truly happy ending, we need to secure a future for all pygmy hippos and. You can help us by putting plenty of cash in the ‘pyggy’ bank for rainforest conservation by taking part in a Together For Trees bucket collection on Friday 21 or Saturday 22 September. It only takes a few hours, and all you need is a big smile. You can sign up to take part at a Tesco store near you here. Please register by 14 September to make sure you book your bucket.
If you can’t take part, but you’re shopping at Tesco during the collection weekend, take some change to drop in the bucket, or you can donate online here.