Once upon a time, a magician named Ellie was swept away by a fierce storm while performing the magic show on a private boat.
Her little boat wrecked and she washed ashore on a strange, uncharted island. When she woke up, she found himself surrounded by thick jungle, chirping birds, and the sound of waves crashing far behind her.
Ellie had only her magical wand, tucked safely in her coat. But magic couldn't make a boat. So, she set up a small camp, made friends with the parrots, and hoped for rescue.
One morning, while walking near a grove of banana trees, Ellie spotted something curious. A large ape sat by a flat stone, holding a charcoal stick, drawing in the sand.
His drawings were astonishing sunsets, fish, even portraits of Ellie herself. Ellie was very scared of Apes, but there was nobody except him and she knew if she wanted to escape from this island, she would have to befriend the ape.
“Hello there,” said Ellie, amazed. “You can draw?”
The ape looked up, nodded shyly, and sketched a picture of himself sitting in a cozy jungle home surrounded by others like him.
“You miss home too,” said Ellie gently. From that day, they became friends. Ellie showed the ape simple magic tricks levitating coconuts, making fireflies dance in the air.
The ape, whom Ellie named Inko, drew pictures of ships, cities, and stars. Together, they shared bananas, stories, and dreams of going home.
One bright afternoon, Inko jumped up and pointed excitedly toward the horizon. A cruise ship, grand and white, was sailing past the island!
Quickly, Ellie used her magic to send colorful sparks into the sky. The ship slowed down and turned toward the island. A sailor in a blue cap came ashore on a little rowboat.
“You need rescue?” the sailor asked.
“Yes, both of us,” said Ellie, holding Inko’s hand.
The sailor looked at Inko with uncertainty. “An ape?”
Ellie nodded. “He’s my friend. He draws better than anyone I know. Please, take us both.”
The sailor looked at the sketch Inko handed him a perfect drawing of the ship with little hearts all around it. He smiled. “Climb aboard.”
And so, Ellie and Inko sailed away, waving goodbye to the island that had brought them together.
Ellie returned to her home, and Inko was taken to a wildlife sanctuary, where he was reunited with others like him. They didn’t forget each other.
Every month, Ellie received a letter with drawings inside signed by Inko, the ape with the artist’s soul.
The End
