Lessons and a decision

You sit down with Nita on the floor. Various objects set around you to use as teaching props. There was no paper or writing implements so you couldn't write or draw anything to aid in her education.

With the little bit of English Nita already had you were able to help her progress in leaps and bounds. It seemed that the more English she learned the easier the next step seems to be. By that afternoon you had her speaking in basic sentences and expressing herself much more clearly. Though you were focused on the lessons glimpses of the real Nita began to show through, you were finally starting to get to know her. You were also noticing she was starting to get easily distracted and began to fidget. You knew these were early warning signs but you still had some time so you press on.

Later that day you were teaching her about possessions. Yours, mine, etc. You had a cup and she had a plate.

"The cup is mine. The cup is Happy's." You state.

She does her part. "The cup is yours. The cup is Happy's." She continues. "The plate is mine. The plate is Nita's"

You nod. "Very good Nita. That's right."

She adds. "Nita is Happy's." She lays the leash over your leg and looks you in the eye. "I am yours."

You shake your head. "No, Nita is Nita's...Nita not Happy's."

She snaps at you. "NO! Stop! Happy is mean. Happy is mean! Nita sad!" She was furious with you. "Nita is Happy's! You say. You say!!!"

This had obviously been something bothering her. Now that she had more ability to communicate she wanted this issue dealt with.

"Nita..." You say, trying to calm her. "...I don't..."

She interrupts, her anger turning to anguish. "Please Happy. You not...um...know...uh...things." She was still struggling to express herself with her basic English. "...ummm..." She holds her hand up high. "Zookeeper." She moves the hand down a bit. "Visitors." Down again. "Humans." Down again. "Nita." Then she puts her hand all the way to the floor. "Nita not Happy's." She looks up at you, almost pleadingly. "You know?"

You nod. "I think I understand." It seemed that for Nita's people an owned **** had far more value and stature than an unowned ****. You hold your one hand up. "Humans." Then your other hand right beside it. "Nita."

She shakes her head sadly. "No. You not know things." She points at the cup in your hand. "Your cup." She then puts the plate on the ground away from the two of you. "Plate. Plate not yours."

"Okay." You nod, trying to follow along.

"Your cup good. Cup hold water, cup for drink. Cup good, cup is yours. Happy...um...use cup. Happy happy, cup happy." She explains. She then points at the plate on the floor. "Plate. Plate nothing. No use plate. Plate not Happy's, plate not good." She adds. "Cup happy, plate sad."

You reach out and turn Nita's chin back toward you with your fingertips. "Nita is not a plate. Nita is not a thing. Nita is..."

She cuts you off again. "...Happy's. Please Happy. Please say." She places the leash in your hand and whispers. "Please."

Her ears are down and her eyes are wide and tearful. You were reminded once more how utterly isolated and fragile she was. She didn't just want new friends or a pretty human male, she wanted to know her place in the world. She wanted an owner. Her small hands grip your leg as she awaits your answer.