As we navigate our hectic lives, running from one task to the next, small details often get lost along the way. These little details can determine the outcome of many aspects of our lives, influence the decisions we make, or perhaps even change our life’s journey.
Slowing Down to See Nature’s Clues
When we conduct Bush Walks at Mhondoro, we leave the comfort of the vehicle and begin to slow down. We engage all our senses—lowering our gaze to the ground, fine-tuning our ears, and inhaling the freshness of Mother Nature—hoping to detect the small clues and details that lead us to hidden treasures.
Reading the Story Behind an Elephant Track
As we wander along, a massive round indentation in the dusty road reveals an elephant track. If we were to move on without slowing down, we might see nothing more than the track itself. But by pausing to take notice, small details begin to emerge, revealing important information left behind.
Experience and knowledge passed down through generations can tell us much about the elephant’s behavior, show us the direction it was walking, and even provide clues about the time of day the footprint was left. By multiplying the circumference of the front foot by 2.5, we can estimate the elephant’s shoulder height, and with that knowledge, we can make a rough estimation of its age.
And now, suddenly, the track is more than just a footprint—it tells us the elephant’s story!
By Ivan Ueckermann
