[Trumpeting]
[Sighs] This is it, suse.
We're in Kenya.
It's the cradle of mankind. The source of the nile.
Ted, I think you've seen too many pbs specials.
Hey, do you think there are any lions
around here or anything?
Lions? Ted, Nairobi's a big city.
Come on.
Well, they've got to have a zoo, right?
This is not gonna be like Tarzan, you know?
No swinging from the vines.
Hey, I know that.
Why do you always treat me like a total idiot?
I'm your older sister, Ted. It's expected of me.
- How are you? - Susan, honey, hi.
- It's good to see you. - You've lost weight.
What have you got in here?
You must start eating like a normal human being.
How was it with grandma?
Were you terribly lonely, guys?
It was only a month, mom. It was no big deal.
But we missed you, of course.
Well, let's get going.
We got a long, long drive ahead.
[Island music]
Well, this is the great rift valley.
And down there is my tracking station.
How do you concentrate on work, dad?
Are you kidding?
Not even Africa distracts your father.
[Monkey screeching]
This is great.
I can't wait to get out in the bush
and explore around here.
No.
We don't want you straying too far from the house, Ted.
Aww, mom!
Well, you know there are wild animals out there.
Wild animals in Africa?
You got to be putting me on, right?
- [Speaking African dialect] - [Replies]
[Continues in African dialect]
This is mwangi.
Gonna help us with some Swahili while we're here, okay?
Here we are, kids.
Your home for the next six months.
Huh...Very primitive.
Oh, you think you want to rough it?
In a few days, believe me,
you'll be grateful for the creature comforts.
I'd be grateful if I could see some more creatures.
[Chuckles]
So what's our first African meal gonna be, huh?
Rhino ribs?
Wildebeest surprise?
- [Laughs] - Guys.
Here it is.
Lamb chops.
And mashed potatoes. Your favorite.
[Speaking African dialect]
[Mouthing silently]
You know, when I close my eyes,
I think I'm still in Pasadena.
[Chuckles]
The same thing happens when mine are open.
They do mean well, you know, Ted.
[Sighs] Of course.
They're just sparing us culture shock.
Yeah and who knows what else?
It's still Africa out there.
All the modern conveniences in the world can't change that.
It's still gonna be an adventure.
Good night, Ted.
Ted, you think you could maybe do that somewhere else, please?
[Sighs] Listen, kiddo.
This is the prison exercise yard.
If you don't want to exercise,
you can go back to your cell.
Cell? Prison?
It's not that bad.
Oh, it isn't? No.
I can do my homework in L.A.,
but one thing I can't do is see Kenya.
Now that we're here, we're not even allowed to explore it.
Don't you want to explore?
Don't you wonder what's out there?
Yes, I do, Ted.
But you know mom.
She's a worrier.
At least she's letting us go on that safari in August.
Yeah, safe and controlled.
Ted, you can understand that--
susie, susie, come here.
Take a look at this. Come here.
What?
Come here.
Right there by the water.
Those herdsmen, are they Maasai?
One way to find out.
I'm going for a closer look.
Well, Ted, mom said--
[speaking African dialect]
[Camera clicks]
- Wait. - What?
Is he coming towards us?
What, the little guy? Yeah, come on.
Back here. Come back here.
[Goat bleats]
Oh! Ah, whoa!
Ah!
Jambo.
Hi.
Uh, I'm Ted and this is my sister, Susan.
I'm morogo.
You not English?
No.
No, we're American.
We live around here.
How about you?
Well, I guess we're neighbors then.
Good. Come see the neighborhood.
- That'd be great. - Really?
Whoa, morogo! Check out those zebras.
No.
[Speaking Swahili]
No, morogo.
They look pretty much like zebra to me.
Ted.
They're gorgeous.
Sometimes food tastes best in mouth of friends.
What does that mean?
It means, uh...
It means I'm happy like "pumdamlia."
[Upbeat African music]
[Singing in African dialect]
[Lion cubs growling]
[Laughter]
[Monkeys screeching]
Ah!
This is my home.
You want come see it?
Um, what time's mom get off work?
Well, the clinic closes at 5:00.
We have to be back before our mother.
Are you gonna be free tomorrow?
Can we see you again?
Meet at the same place
when the sun is up there.
Noon. Noon?
Excellent.
Kwaheri.
Both: Kwaheri.
Clinic. It's just wonderful.
So what'd you kids do today?
Um...Homework.
You? Homework?
Um, well, i shot some hoops
and, um, listened to some music.
I did my calculus.
Finished Silas marner finally.
[Goats bleating]
[Speaking Swahili]
You do better next time.
Wait a minute.
You just won?
I thought I was doing all right.
Trouble does not ring a bell.
[Sighs]
You know a lot of those sayings, don't you?
None of 'em make any sense.
[Goats bleating]
Okay, morogo, coast is clear.
[Electronic blips and bleeps]
Okay, keep away from 'em, morogo.
Okay, just keep getting the dots.
That's good. Come on.
You almost got it. Come on.
You can do it. Keep going.
Oh, no.
Hello?
Anybody home?
Mom, what are you doing here?
I happen to live here. Now--
but it's only 4:00.
We're doing inventory, so we closed the clinic early.
Mom, say hello to morogo.
Jambo. Samahani.
And how'd you all meet,
hanging out at the galleria?
But morogo has lived here all his life,
so he can certainly keep us out of danger.
That is the reason for the rule, isn't it?
The way I see it, if morogo shows us around,
we won't be in any danger.
Makes good sense, dad.
You really know which buttons to push with me, don't you?
[Laughter]
Oh, well. We'll just get it later.
Morogo.
Morogo, we can always get another soccer ball.
Morogo, it's not that important.
Morogo?
What does he think he's doing?
[Flies buzzing]
That was great, morogo.
Ted, don't you dare.
I don't expect you to understand,
but sometimes a man's got to do what a man's got to do.
What a load of macho baloney.
Ted, get back here.
Shh.
Morogo!
[Rhino groans]
Oh.
Oh!
[Laughter]
"What a man's got to do," huh, Ted?
Come on. Let's go.
[Laughter]
[Rhino groans]
You said something to it, right, a spell?
No, I did not speak to rhino.
A charm, then?
Some special tribal magic?
Yes.
Special magic is to go where rhino cannot smell.
You mean you were downwind?
Well, couldn't it see you?
Rhino sees with his nose.
Well, that was your problem, Ted.
You should have taken a shower first.
[Speaking African dialect]
[Cheetah whimpers]
There's something down there.
[Cheetah meows]
I think that's a baby cat.
But where's its mother?
Well, let's go check it out.
No.
If mother come back, very bad for us.
And if the mother doesn't come back,
what happens to the baby?
[Birds screeching]
Ted, it's over here.
Oh, yeah. Whoa.
Oh, she is adorable.
Look at her.
She's so cute.
What are we gonna call her?
How about fido?
That is so typical.
Hey, what are these?
Oh.
Ted?
I found the mother.
She is dead.
- Dead? - Yes.
Skinned by a poacher.
You better go before the hyenas come.
Right.
A poacher.
Then this may be a clue. Check this out.
These weird tire tracks and they don't go anywhere.
Not tire tracks.
Show marks.
Shoes made from old tire.
The mother's dead, isn't she?
Yeah.
We're taking her home. What?
Taking this little duma home? Why?
Because if we don't take this duma home, she's a goner.
[Cheetah meows]
I know you guys want to keep her
and I'm sure you'd do a good job taking care of her.
But we will.
We will and it'll teach us responsibility.
Right, dad?
Ted, what happens when it's time
for us to go back home?
Have you two thought about that?
You do realize we can't bring a cheetah back to L.A.
Unless you want a cheetah more than a mother.
Mom, if we don't keep her, she's gonna die.
This house is not a game preserve.
You know, you never let us have a pet back home either.
Now don't you try that sentimental stuff
on me, young man. It won't work.
I don't know. It's worked before.
I can't believe you kids talked us into keeping her.
Come on, admit it, mom.
Duma is one cute little cat.
She's not going to be so little six months from now.
Ted, kick. Okay.
What's duma doing? Duma, what are you doing?
Duma!
[Duma purrs]
Park at an angle, dad.
You guys can get duma okay?
Yeah.
Morning, Mr. patel.
Morning, professor.
Morning, Mrs. Johnson. Morning.
Good morning. Morning, morning.
I don't suppose that fabric we ordered
has come in yet?
Perhaps it will come in the afternoon delivery.
Yes. [Rustling]
Duma.
Well, Mr. patel, looks like we just
bought ourselves some cookies.
An unusual snack for a most unusual pet
and a most beautiful one.
Do you have any laundry detergent today, Mr. patel?
Yes, sir.
50 shillings.
There was plenty last week.
Oh, look. Your cheetah, she's escaped.
She's gone.
Uh-oh.
Red alert. Red alert.
Ted, skip the theatrics.
[Blows whistle]
Come here.
A trained cheetah?
Marvelous.
You call and she comes.
Yeah, that's our good little girl.
All right.
There it goes. It's up.
Ooh, no, wait. Morogo, no.
Come back over here.
Okay, look, you have to stay on this side, all right?
And why don't you serve it over to Ted?
[Horn honks]
[Truck door closes]
David, there you are.
You look fabulous. Hi, Jean.
Mmm.
I'm afraid Ted's grades
are as sloppy as his room.
[Laughter]
Yeah, we don't want them to get too far behind.
So the kids will go home early for the start of school?
Right.
I've got these last six weeks to finish up,
and then the station's all yours.
You're really gonna love it here, Dave.
We all have.
But I'm sure the kids are ready to get back to the states.
But we just got here!
Ted, you've been here almost six months.
I know, but it doesn't feel like it.
Time has a way of tricking you.
Even more so as you get older.
Well, can't we extend our stay a little bit?
Uh-uh. School starts in a few weeks.
Everything's arranged.
That means we're gonna have to say goodbye to morogo...
Probably for good.
Yeah, and duma.
That's right, sweetie.
It's time to find out what to do with duma.
What's best for her.
Now, duma, you know you're not supposed to be back there.
Silly cat.
What's best for her is to release her
back into the wild.
That's exactly what we figured.
But it's good to hear it from a game warden.
I recommend cheetah valley.
The ecology's perfect there.
It'll be easy for her to find a mate.
Cheetah valley?
See, dad, this isn't gonna be that hard.
Ted, it's not gonna be that simple either.
When one domesticates these cats,
their hunting skills are stunted.
You mean she may not know how to be a cheetah?
Precisely.
And unless she learns, she'll be in serious danger.
She trusts people, but people won't trust her.
If she should wander into a house, for example--
excuse my intrusion, please.
Distinguished professor and family
have been most generous.
Perhaps I may reciprocate by relieving them of this animal.
Thank you. No.
If I offer £50 Sterling as additional inducement?
Come on, Larry. Let's go back to our place.
Good idea.
I'll pick up a rope kit and we'll
put duma through her paces.
Why is fate dangling such hopes
and then snatching them away?
That cat could make me rich.
Rich, patel? How so?
I have an uncle in India.
He's racing cheetah against greyhounds.
It is bringing him a fortune.
A cheetah racing against greyhounds?
Yes, and this cheetah, she's already tamed.
Most difficult part of training is accomplished.
I could begin negotiations with racetrack today,
if only I possess cat.
She'll smell the gazelle right through the sack.
Rather interesting test of instinct, really.
She knows it's food, but will she chase it?
Okay. Ready, Earl?
All set. We'll see how it goes, Larry.
Okay.
When you get up to speed, I'll let her out.
Okay. [Truck door closes]
Chase the bag, duma.
Yeah, you can do it.
Come on, girl. Faster.
Come on, girl. You can do it.
Come on.
Oh, duma.
Way to go, killer.
Looks like you kids have your work cut out for you.
How's she ever gonna learn how to hunt
if all she wants to do is go for a Sunday drive?
Well, mom was saving this roast for a special occasion.
Here we go. All right.
Come on. All right, we got it.
Come on, guys. Chase it, girl.
Come on, duma.
[Overlapping dialogue]
There you go. Come on.
Get it away from her, Ted.
Come on, girl. Come on.
Now duma is getting me too.
Throw it up. Go and get it.
[Laughter]
Throw it up.
Come on. Chase, chase.
There you go, duma.
Oh, wow!
She caught it.
Okay, here we go.
All right, we got some gazelle.
A whole herd of the suckers.
Do you think she's gonna know what to do?
Well, we have a saying.
When rain falls on a leopard,
spots do not wash away.
But, morogo, duma's a cheetah.
It's also sunny, but that's not the point.
Okay, enough with the sayings.
[Whispers] Come on. Come on.
Okay.
Why don't you go grab yourself a gazelle burger
and we'll go find some ringside seats.
I see her.
Where?
Oh, there she is.
I can't believe it.
Duma's going for it on her very first try.
Oh, whoa, look at that, guys!
Go, duma!
She's nearly got it. She pounces!
Ladies and gentlemen, it's not pretty,
but that's nature in the raw--
ah! What the--
that was not our duma.
[Chuckles]
Ted.
What are you laughing at?
[Blows whistle]
Duma?
Duma!
[Blows whistle]
She's always come back before.
That's a good sign.
Tonight, she's exploring and even hunting.
Isn't that what you've been training her for?
Yeah, but, um, what if something happened to her?
I mean, she could be hurt or something.
You know what I think's really worrying you?
That she might leave before you can say goodbye.
Well, we've raised her since she was a baby, mom.
It would be awful if she just left.
When you love something, loss can be
a part of the bargain, Ted.
Come on.
Let's go inside.
Susie, she's back.
I wonder if she caught anything for dinner last night.
I'm glad you're back, sweetie.
But I wish you'd learn to hunt for yourself.
As I was saying, abdallah, every schoolchild knows
the cheetah is the world's fastest runner.
But not so many people know
that cheetah has no endurance.
She tires quickly.
So we are planning to make the race too long
for cheetah and then bet against her.
Yes, quite neat, really.
Nobody will ever guess that the owners
are betting against their own cheetah.
When she runs out of steam,
it's the owners who collect the money.
In addition to your share of the purse, abdallah,
as a bonus, after the race you can keep her.
Good.
That skin will bring me much money.
No long faces now.
You're saying goodbye to a wonderful time in your lives,
but there's lots of excitement to look forward to.
Oh, more exciting than going exploring with morogo?
Or having a cheetah for a pet?
No, Ted, there are different kinds of excitement.
How about a toast to everything
you've had a chance to experience this year
and to David's family who are next in line.
Hear, hear.
And to morogo.
Couldn't be here because he had
a previous engagement with some goats.
[Indistinct chatter]
All right, patel, where's this cheetah of yours?
You said it would be here.
I said I thought it would be here.
The cat is tame.
It is ordinarily sleeping in the yard.
Oh, not tonight.
The boy.
The boy calls the cat with a whistle.
If one of us could get that whistle--
so beautiful. Superior cake.
Oh, thank you. 16 degrees above the equator.
Very good.
Mom, that was very symbolic, i think.
Cutting us right out, aren't you?
How about we all go in the living room?
Good idea.
Listen, honey, this is a pretty special occasion.
You think the kids are old enough to try champagne?
I most certainly do not.
What about the grown-ups?
Ted, how about a little more music, huh?
Sure. I haven't packed all my records yet.
If you don't mind something a little more African, dad.
It is our last night.
Well, you've got to take your kids on safari
like we did, David.
Ted and Susan just loved it.
[Whistle blows]
What's the matter, Ted?
I thought I heard something.
Must have been my imagination.
[Whistle blows]
[Duma growls]
She is ours.
[Duma whimpers]
Duma!
I don't like the looks of this.
Well, let's not lose our heads.
She stayed out a couple of nights ago.
Yeah, but she was back by morning.
Well, maybe she's making progress.
Maybe.
Except my whistle's missing.
This is for you.
When the river divides,
its waters are not so sweet.
I knew you'd have a saying for today, morogo.
This one even you know what it means.
And this means though we are far apart,
our spirits share the same earth
and the same sky.
We're never gonna forget you, morogo.
The way duma left was too sudden.
I know it.
Ted, you're looking for a human end
to the relationship.
Now that's just not a reasonable expectation.
Duma loved us, but as a cheetah.
She depended on us and then left home when the time was right.
Exactly.
You two did what you had to do.
Come on now.
You should be proud of yourselves.
If we take this road,
we should be at my camp by nightfall.
It's not a bad road.
There's a little stretch here with a few potholes.
Mr. patel?
Oh, good morning, professor. Good morning.
Could we get some petrol, please?
Certainly, professor. Certainly.
Petrol. Petrol for you.
Kids, get yourselves whatever you want for the plane.
The young missus finding it a sad day
leaving this splendid country, losing her pet?
What did you say?
I recall you intended
to release her in cheetah valley.
Therefore I'm assuming--
but you said "lose."
Perhaps I did not choose the most precise word,
but does it not do justice to how the miss feels?
The tread marks were the same!
It's the guy who killed duma's mother.
And what about that "losing your pet" business?
Oh, Ted, Mr. patel is a foreigner.
He made a slip of the tongue.
He's got a better vocabulary than we do.
Besides, what makes him think Susan
was crying because of duma?
Patel knows that duma's one of the family.
Right!
When he tried to buy her
and that demonstrates motivation.
Ted, now let this thing go.
You're trying to build a case that just isn't there.
And it doesn't take a Freud to figure out
that you're looking for a reason to stay in Kenya.
Now let's just try and be mature about this.
Ah, Ted.
We'll be joining you in a month.
I know you guys will be fine.
Grandma will be waiting at the airport.
You'll be okay.
Dad!
Will the two of you try and cheer up, please?
I'll bet you anything duma will be waiting there for us
as soon as your mom and I get home.
Yeah, we'll take charge of releasing her.
I know it's not what you hoped for,
but at least we'll have done right by her, huh?
Smile and a kiss?
Come here, honey.
I love you, honey. I love you, daddy.
I'm right, you know?
You heard dad, Ted. Let it go.
Just listen to the facts.
One, we know patel wanted duma.
Two, she suddenly disappears.
Three, patel mentions that she's lost
when there's no way he could have known about that!
Shh!
Four, the guy at patel's store
was wearing shoes with the same tread
as what we found when duma's mother was killed.
Five, did you see the look on the shoe guy's face
when patel made the slip about losing our pet?
- No, I didn't. - Trust me.
Where was I?
Six, my missing whistle.
Ted, the way you pack,
it's a miracle you can find anything.
No, I put it in my desk drawer.
How can you be so sure?
Darn it, Susan.
I made a point of putting it there last night.
I planned to give it to morogo as a goodbye present.
Really?
Yes!
Okay, I believe you.
What?
Patel took duma.
What can we do about it?
May I have your tickets, please?
Um...Well, actually, me and my sister--
"my sister and I."
We're a little confused.
Um, this is the flight to Beijing, isn't it?
That was great, Ted.
These tickets cost dad a lot of money.
Refundable.
What about our luggage?
On the plane.
When we get to L.A., our underwear
will be there to greet us.
What about grandma?
Isn't she supposed to meet us at lax?
Well, I think that was a wonderful experience for them.
I just wish they hadn't taken duma's leaving so hard.
Now, honey, it's all part of growing up.
Oh, Earl, i think I see them!
- Where? - Isn't that Susan waving?
- Oh, yeah. - See right there?
- See? Bye! - Bye!
- Bye, kids!
[Sighs]
- "Dear mom--" - no, skip "dear."
Deal with telegrams is keep 'em short.
Seems awfully chilly.
All right.
"Plans changed. Kids arrived later."
No, dad would say, "kids departure delayed."
Oh, okay. "Kids departure delayed."
That's better. "Delayed.
- Will advise." - Nice touch.
Thanks.
"Advise."
That's it. "Love, dad."
Sheer genius, Ted.
He writes to his mother and signs it "dad"?
Force of habit. Sign it "Earl."
Done.
Wow, how much have you got?
About 50 shillings.
It's not gonna get us very far.
We're loaded with traveler's checks.
[Chicken clucks]
Amazing our mom trusts us to let us buy
our own back-to-school clothes.
Ted, I hope we haven't done all this
for some stupid wild goose chase.
Don't worry.
As soon as we find duma, it'll all be worth it.
Besides, what's the worst thing that mom and dad can do to us?
Put us up for adoption.
Well, never thought I'd see this place again.
Good afternoon.
How may I help?
Is Mr. patel here?
Uh, no.
My cousin left abruptly.
I bet. Fact number seven.
We need to speak to Mr. patel.
Can you tell us how to reach him, please?
Regretfully not.
He's on retreat and does not wish to be disturbed.
Well, it's kind of important.
You see, we, um--
we have some money for Mr. patel.
Our parents asked us to deliver it.
Uh, you may entrust it to my care.
I am happy to send it to him.
Well, thank you, but we need to sign them
and give them to him personally.
This is indeed a conundrum.
I'm sure he'd want you to tell us,
especially since we're leaving Africa.
There won't be another chance to give him his money.
He is in a camp near thomson's falls.
I am to write to him care of general delivery...
Jamhuri.
Jamhuri?
Jamhuri.
Thank you.
Not bad.
I sweated it out of him.
How much progress have we really made here?
Do you have any idea how to get to the jamhuri?
Look, if we're out on the road hitching,
you just know mom and dad are gonna be the first to stop.
[In Indian accent] This is indeed a conundrum.
[Sighs]
We need some help, suse.
Sure.
Well, cheetah...
You've got some more work to do today.
Are you going to be a naughty girl?
[Duma growls]
[Laughter]
All right, he's in there.
The only problem is so is everybody else.
Does it matter?
You bet it does.
Look, this is strictly a need-to-know operation.
[Sighs]
Hey, the beeper, African style.
Morogo. Psst!
Over there. Come on.
Jamhuri?
I know where it is.
Maybe a two-day walk.
But you could do it? You know how?
No way, José.
Morogo, to save duma's life?
My father would be most angry
with such mzungu foolishness.
I cannot go.
Look, our parents are gonna
be really mad at us, but we can handle that.
Can you tell us how to do it?
Whoa, whoa, Ted, Ted.
You are not seriously suggesting
that we go ahead on our own, are you?
If it's the only way, yes.
Okay, you remember the blue dukkha?
Okay, go to the blue dukkha, follow the sun.
You see a big pile of rocks
just at the top of devil's gate.
Devil's gate. Devil's gate?
Ted, this is nuts.
This is absolutely looney tunes.
Look, we are two kids from L.A.
About to spend two days walking
through the uncharted wilderness
where animals eat kids from L.A.
Your heart is in the right place and all,
but we are not going to survive.
That's not gonna help duma or us.
- I think if we just-- - look!
Suse, that's that big pile of rocks
that morogo was telling us about.
This is devil's gate.
We're doing okay.
Duma.
[Duma whimpers]
Duma.
The first lesson she must learn
is that there is no escape.
Then we will train her to race.
But we need to know exactly how far
she can run before tiring.
Yes, yes. We have an odometer.
She may resist.
She must learn that she's powerless
and we are powerful.
Let's begin now.
[Motorcycle engine starts]
Well, you didn't get very far.
You're a lazy pussycat.
We've only been at this for three hours
and it's gonna be dark soon.
Yeah, and sunset is feeding time in Africa.
Okay.
Okay, we need a place to crash for the night.
Now what would morogo do in a situation like this?
Morogo had the good sense not to get in
a situation like this.
Think the kids are okay?
They were so upset about leaving.
Oh, sure.
Seeing old friends again.
Getting ready for school.
They're having a great time.
Ted!
Ted, this is totally insane.
We are entirely without resources.
We don't know what we're doing.
Now wait a minute.
Do you have any idea what we're gonna
eat or drink today?
Well, I thought about that.
Do you really think that morogo's instructions
are gonna get us to jamhuri?
Now that you mention it, they were a little vague.
If one of us gets bitten by a snake,
do you know lethal from non-lethal?
No, not exactly.
Look, I don't like it either,
but it's time to admit we are out of our depth here.
I think we should go back and tell mom and dad everything.
Absolutely not.
It's not going to be pleasant,
but it beats dying of exposure
or getting eaten by something.
Right, right. You're absolutely right.
Thank you.
The only problem is there's something
moving around down there.
[Growling]
Morogo!
- Jambo, dudes. - Morogo!
Oh, morogo, you don't know how glad
we are to see you, little buddy.
I worried about my friends.
Maybe you need some help, so I brought everything we need.
You all right?
Yeah.
Here.
Weren't your mom and dad upset about you coming?
They don't know yet.
We're in the same boat.
Boat? No.
Now got much walking to do.
Walking. Boat.
I knew that. Yet to say "boat--"
I'm so thirsty.
Do you think we can drink that?
I don't think you'd want to.
How'd you manage to find us way out here, morogo?
[Bird cries]
Every animal in the bush knows where you are.
I don't suppose we're getting close to jamhuri?
Good joke, Susan.
Now we begin.
Begin?
Oh, this is awful.
Lighten up, Susan.
You went on a safari with your parents.
What's the big deal this time?
Because on that safari, we slept in tents.
We had bug spray, lanterns, a Coleman stove.
We had stuff to eat.
And our guide didn't make us climb any mountains either.
My mom likes thing safe and controlled.
I'm beginning to realize that she has a point.
But you call that a safari?
Sounds like you took your whole house with you.
Exactly.
Aah!
Come on, Susan.
No time for sightseeing.
She cannot eat through the cage, abdallah.
That's the point.
If she's angry and she's hungry,
then she chases the rabbit better.
Like some food, cat?
Too bad.
You've got to earn it.
[Whining]
[Growling]
A root.
Now it's your turn.
Does it taste as bad as it smells?
It's wet.
That's all I care about.
[Belches] Oh, excuse me.
Come. Many hours to go.
Couldn't we just rest a little while longer?
My feet are killing me.
No. Think of poor duma.
Come here, cat.
Come on, duma. Back in the box.
Now we cross for jamhuri.
Morogo, those hippos, are they dangerous?
Only when they are hungry.
Ted: Yeah, but what do they eat, morogo?
Whatever they find in the river.
[Hippos groan]
[Ted sighs]
I just hope they're vegetarians.
[Hippos groaning and growling]
All right, come on.
Come on, guys. Keep moving.
[Chuckles]
Smooth moves, mzungus.
Guys, look, i got to stop.
I'm hungry, I'm soaked, and I'm dead on my feet,
which happen to feel like lead weights.
Well, I'm beyond hungry. I'm starving.
Good. Starving is good.
Now we can make a fire and talk about food.
You sorry we're doing this?
No.
Just not sure we're right to do it.
So what do you got for us, huh?
Roots and berries?
No. Termites.
Termites?
You expect us to eat termites?
I think we can count two no votes on that
they give strength.
I don't care.
Termites are insects.
Eww. Eww.
How can you do that?
Mzungu eat fish.
Put fish in mouth, can put anything in mouth.
They're really not too bad?
Mmm.
Very not too bad.
Suse, they're not even dead yet.
Duma's depending on us.
We need the protein.
How are they really?
Remember that time grandma made us
steak and kidney pie?
This is worse.
[Chuckles]
You know, Dave, if we adjust the telemetry
of the whole burg, we'd probably get that downlink
on that one eccentric transponder.
Sounds like the same scenario we had in Australia last year.
Yeah.
- Uh, Earl? - Uh-huh?
We seem to have a visitor.
Oh?
He's got a spear, Earl.
Oh.
Jambo.
[Speaking swahili] Earl Johnson.
Yes, I know.
What can I do for you?
No. It's what we can do for each other, Earl Johnson.
I know your wife must have made a mistake.
I put the kids on the plane myself and I saw it take off.
Mom. Hi, it's Earl.
Yes, mom, I know it's a good connection.
Mom, this is gonna sound like a silly question, but--
telegram?
What telegram?
[Elephant trumpets]
[Elephant roars]
Wow.
This is not good.
Wind brings our smell to elephant.
Susan: That big one is magnificent.
He's also angry.
Angry at us?
You want to ask him?
I do not.
[Roaring]
Uh, guys, he's coming towards us.
Um, hey, what's our best move?
Morogo!
What's he gonna do if he catches us?
Go this way. Come on, Ted.
Come on!
Ted!
Faster! It's coming!
I'm coming!
Which way should we go?
- Turn this way. - Oh!
Whoa, morogo. Watch your spear.
Look out!
[Trumpeting]
I think he really liked you guys.
That was stupendous!
I don't know where patel is
and that guy in there wouldn't give me the time of day.
Hello, again.
I've brought my friend.
We're both very eager to locate Mr. patel.
Very eager.
Isn't that so, kipoin?
Ha! [Gulp]
Jamhuri.
Excuse me?
Jamhuri. Jamhuri.
And now please to leave store.
I am closing.
I want to lock the door.
I am closing until further notice.
Please leave.
Morogo, I'm almost afraid to ask, but--
yes, Susan. Jamhuri.
We made it?
We really made it?
All right!
That's it? That's jamhuri?
That's not even worth putting on a map.
[Laughter]
We have come to jamhuri, but where is duma?
Well, that guy in the store that patel
was staying near... Thomson's falls.
That's right.
Do you have any idea where that is?
Hakuna matata. No problem.
Right. Yes.
So you'll call us as soon as you get any information?
[Speaking Swahili]
Okay, the police are on the case.
And so are we, Earl.
They're our kids.
I'm not gonna sit around here
hoping someone else finds them.
Now there's only one road to jamhuri.
I suppose we could probably overtake them on the way.
We go now.
Looks like both our wives are insisting, kipoin.
[Groans]
[Scoffs]
Not exactly guarded like fort Knox.
If poachers live here, we must be very careful.
We open the gate, we make big noise.
Wait, morogo, what are you talking about?
[Cans rattle softly]
What do you know?
Homemade security system.
Come on.
There he is.
Look, abdallah, it holds up.
It's all ready. You see that?
That's patel.
I was right.
Come on.
All right, how many of the enemy can there be?
Patel and the shoe guy, right?
That's two of them and there's three of us.
What are you thinking, Ted?
We're gonna go in there and take them out?
Let's wait for night,
then we'll go in and look for duma.
[Duma whimpers]
[Truck engine revs and fades out]
What if that truck comes back?
Susan, I'll stay here and watch for the bad guys.
You go in and look for duma.
Okay, but be careful.
You too.
"Pete patel presents the ultimate race.
Cheetah versus greyhound."
What a creep!
This is why patel wanted duma.
[Duma whimpers]
That's her.
That's duma.
Oh!
Sweetheart.
Oh.
What have they done to you?
Hey.
How we gonna get her out of here?
It's a combination lock.
We'll have to break the lock somehow.
I'll go get something.
Duma, hi.
[Duma purrs]
[Muffled scream]
Find something, suse?
Oh, the thought of our kids out here alone at night.
Honey, they're to alone.
Morogo is with them.
But our son has never been out
at night like this before.
[Sighs]
Well, what do we do now?
The authorities have long wanted me.
These children know too much.
If i-- if I'm understanding you correctly,
I cannot countenance this.
There's no time to argue about it now.
Let's wait till after the race.
What do we do with them meanwhile?
A cage, of course.
Yes. Good.
Then we leave for Nairobi immediately.
Let's get a move on, abdallah.
I must get my tools.
Bit of bad luck, those children turning up.
Yes, for them.
[Whimpering]
Ha! Good work, mzungus.
Morogo!
We need some help, morogo.
Do you know what a wire cutter is?
No, wait. Here.
38 right, 24 left, 30 right.
Huh?
When they opened the cage,
all I did was pay attention.
We've got to find a way to get to Nairobi now.
Jamhuri must have a police station.
Why don't go file a report?
No, because by the time it takes the police
to get out to that guy's camp and confirm our story,
file forms in triplicate, duma's gonna become
a wall hanging just like her mother.
Ted's right. We go to Nairobi right away.
Fine, but how are we supposed to get there?
Well, we can hitchhike.
I know it may take a while, but--
[laughs]
Two Americans and one tribal boy near jamhuri.
We told your father it wouldn't take long.
You can contact them at the police station.
Want anything?
Yeah. I need a bathroom.
Ah, the police station is only 20 minutes away.
I can't wait that long.
Oh, me either.
I'll be waiting.
[Sheep bleating]
[Engine starts]
This truck better be going to Nairobi.
Duma's race starts soon.
[Horn honks]
[Tires screech]
I'm really very sorry.
But now at least we know they are all right.
Yeah, but where were they headed?
What are they up to?
I think I know. Take a look at this.
A cheetah race? Against greyhounds.
But this race starts in two hours.
I don't think you can make it in time.
But perhaps we can radio ahead,
set up a roadblock--
you do whatever you have to do.
We're going to Nairobi downs.
- Come on. - But--
and your parents and the police are on your tail?
Look, I know it sounds incredible, mister,
but it's true.
The police had us in custody
just a couple of minutes ago.
Oh, in a sense, I'm harboring fugitives right now.
Isn't that right?
[Chuckles] Not to fret.
Got into some scrapes myself as a lad.
And keeping your cheetah out of a poacher's hands
is a worthy cause.
I'll get you to Nairobi downs!
[Laughter]
[Sheep bleating]
This Sunday will be ladies' day at Nairobi downs.
[Indistinct chatter]
[Duma whimpering]
Thanks.
Sorry to drop you here.
Good luck with your cheetah!
[Sheep bleating]
Where we gonna get a taxi?
I think this goes through the market street.
We can probably get a cab there.
Okay.
[Crash]
[Speaking African dialect]
You've broken all of my Spears.
You are going to pay for all--
thank you. Sorry.
Come--
[indistinct chatter]
Stop him!
Stop him! Stop him!
Back in here.
Hey, stop him!
Stop that young man!
Hey, stop him! Hey!
Stop him! Stop him!
[Horns honking]
Morogo, over here! Morogo!
We're over here! Morogo!
Over here! Morogo, it's okay.
Downwind of the cars.
Morogo, are you all right?
Okay, come on.
Wait.
Eric's boy is sixth,
sunny James loaf behind in seventh place,
Malakai bringing up the rear.
No problem with this animal, gentleman.
As you can see, she's quite tame.
She has no taste for greyhound fricassee.
[Chuckles]
Win, lose, or draw, it's all harmless fun.
There's a taxi.
Come on.
Nairobi downs, please.
Oh, you're going to the cheetah race.
[Engine starts]
Ladies and gentlemen, before our fourth race,
we would like to offer for your entertainment,
a special event.
A race between the fastest dogs in Kenya
and the fastest animal on the planet.
This is an exhibition only, ladies and gentlemen.
No betting permitted.
Seven to one.
Getting much action, old boy?
Everybody thinks the cheetah will win.
[Chuckles]
When I remind them there is
no official betting, they all offered
to wager privately.
They eat out of my hands.
[Grunts]
We are rich, Nigel. We are rich.
Good show.
The results of the third race are now official.
The stewards have disqualified [Indistinct].
Nairobi downs racing association wishes to thank
patel enterprises for putting on this exhibition.
Is this seat taken, old boy?
Not a better picture.
[First call playsover intercom]
[Horse snorts]
The officials have signaled that the greyhounds
and cheetah are in their chutes.
We're about to begin.
And they're off.
[Bell rings]
Oh, and the cheetah jumps out to a remarkable lead.
What a display of lightning speed, ladies and gentlemen.
And as they approach the first bend,
it's the cheetah by six lengths.
The cheetah is running away with this race.
[Cheers and applause]
Hold on.
The cheetah's lead is down to only three lengths.
Can she be tiring already?
Royal flush is gaining on her.
And royal flush takes the lead from the cheetah.
[Scattered negative crowd reactions]
Excuse me.
There she is.
Oh, too bad, but that cheetah
has run out of steam early.
She's already out of the race.
Royal flush and Sully continue
to battle it out for the lead,
with jolly o... [Fades out indistinctly]
What are you doing?
Hey!
[Blows whistle]
Ted, it worked.
She's coming this way.
This is remarkable, ladies and gentlemen.
The cheetah has found a second wind.
We counted her out prematurely.
Something's gone wrong.
The cheetah has caught up with jolly o.
She shows no signs of letting up, ladies and gentlemen.
She is right back in this race.
Wait.
She's going right past us.
I can't believe it.
I think she's trying to win.
Look at her fly.
Go, duma! Go, duma!
Come on, girl! You can do it!
I know you can do it!
Good grief!
That cheetah's gonna catch bunny.
The cheetah's natural hunting instincts
have helped her to win it by five lengths!
[Cheers and applause]
[Overlapping chatter]
[Cheers and applause]
How can we possibly find them in this crowd?
Do you see them? There.
Susan! Mom!
Morogo. [Speaking Swahili]
Ted, are you all right?
I'm okay. Are you sure?
[Growling]
Punish us later, but we got to save duma first.
What are you talking about?
It's the guy who skinned duma's mother.
Come on. Let's go.
[Duma roars]
Duma?
Come here, duma.
Come on. Good girl.
That's right.
Uh-huh.
Abdallah.
We have been after you a long time.
Bad day for poachers, eh, abdallah?
I can't believe you two did this!
You were reckless! You were irresponsible!
You were disrespectful of your parents
and of your grandmother.
[Speaking Swahili]
Cheetah valley.
It's weird, isn't it?
After everything we went through to get her back,
we're gonna turn around and give her up.
At least we get to say goodbye to her.
And to each other.
You know they've risked so much for duma's sake.
Why don't we all stay in Africa this next month
and keep duma with us until we go?
I mean, we've had such a wonderful time.
Why should we end it before we have to?
Because it wouldn't be fair...
To duma or to us.
- But, Ted-- - no.
She's come so far, and she's ready to hunt.
That's right.
Look, if we keep her now and pretend
everything's the way it was,
what we went through won't mean anything.
If we really love her, we have to let her go.
Ted's right.
We started the job.
Now we have to finish it.
Come on, duma. Come on.
Hey.
Bye, duma.
How are you supposed to say goodbye to a cheetah?
I think you already have, suse.
Look!
Another duma!
Go on.
Go make friends.
[Whimpering]
This isn't gonna be easy.
[Whimpering]
Go away, duma.
You have to leave now.
Go, duma.
You don't belong with us anymore.
Go away!
Though we are far apart...
Our spirits share the same earth...
And the same sky.
[African music]
[Singing in Swahili]