Midori

Midori loved rainy days in the swamp more than most chimps loved festivals. He enjoyed the wet fur, the quiet paths, and the feeling that something interesting might always be hiding just beyond the reeds. On one such day, with only Giri willing to join him, he set out expecting little more than a slow hunt and perhaps a muddy lunch. Instead, Giri caught a toad that shouted to be put down. The toad, named Suko, spoke their language, claimed most toads were intelligent, and answered questions as if being hunted was merely a social inconvenience. Before long, Suko was sitting in the village, drinking beer for the first time and swapping stories about centuries of travel, ancient councils, and even a demon he once spoke with. Midori had never met anyone so odd, wise, or easy to laugh with. By the end of the night, he asked to join Suko's travels — and Suko agreed, on the condition he could ride on Midori's head forever.