Running Wild

Tsunami’s Reckoning

On a sweltering morning in Sumatra, eleven-year-old Will has never felt more at home than on the sprawling elephant sanctuary managed by his mother. Yet when the earth convulses and a towering tsunami crashes ashore, his world is swept away in an instant. The roar of the waves carries away both his family and the life he knew, leaving Will stranded on a narrow strip of sand amid the chaos of uprooted palms and shattered dreams.

Spirit of the Elephant

Alone and terrified, Will’s only companion becomes an orphaned Sumatran elephant named Oona, who bears her own scars from the disaster. Drawn together by loss, boy and beast form a fragile alliance—sharing warmth beneath starlit skies and whispering secrets as they forage for food. In Oona’s soulful eyes, Will discovers a quiet resilience that mirrors his own emerging courage.

Paths Through Peril

The duo embarks on a perilous journey through the jungle’s tangled undergrowth, navigating treacherous rivers, hungry predators, and hidden mines left by poachers. With every footstep, Will learns to listen to the forest’s whispered warnings and to trust Oona’s uncanny instincts. Their bond becomes a testament to hope, teaching him that compassion can guide even the most unlikely of friendships through the darkest of times.

Legacy of Freedom

As the sun rises on their final day of travel, the distant sound of rescue helicopters promises a return to safety—or a new beginning. In the heart of the wild, Will and Oona discover that true survival lies not in escape, but in the unbreakable ties we forge with those who walk beside us. Running Wild is a moving adventure of loss, loyalty, and the enduring power of the human–animal connection. Author’s description.