BECOMING AN ANCESTOR

I grabbed some paints and started drawing on the central tree.

Because of the tree's color, it was easier to make it more visible; I used red, brown, and green colors.

First, I drew a large tree to represent the central tree, then I drew some figures to represent the group.

After that, I drew some trees to represent the forest and sketched the path of the stream, where the crocodiles were, the region with more predators, and an outline to represent the end of the forest. I also drew some separate trees to represent the savannah.

The group watched me draw with curiosity.

Despite not being the first time I drew something, this was my biggest drawing.

Before, they only saw a tree; now, I drew the entire forest, although some details were missing.

Finally, it was time to try to teach the last group.

Honestly, this group wouldn't have much to learn. When I was separating and positioning the leaders of each group, I chose Fred. Since my other friends took the position of leader of a group, it made sense to have a friend in the position of leader of the artists. Besides, Fred wasn't as smart as Cornelius or as strong as Joe, so the position of leader of the artists was perfect for him.

"Fred, bring your group here."

"We're here, boss."

"Understand, hand."

"Here."

I took Fred's hand and dipped it in red paint.

When Fred looked at his red hand and panicked, thinking it was his blood and he had been injured.

"Calm down, calm down, relax! Damn, you're a group leader now, stay calm."

"Y-yes, boss."

"Smell, it's not blood."

"R-right."

"Stop, don't try to lick it."

"O-okay."

It seems it's going to be much more complicated than I thought.

I took Fred's hand and pulled it towards another tree I had chosen before.

With the illumination from the bonfires and the starlight, my art class began.

"First, you."

I pointed to Fred himself.

Using his hand as a brush, I guided him to draw, even if it was crude, I managed to create something that at least resembled an Australopithecus.

I pointed to the drawing and then to Fred.

"This is you."

"Me?"

"Yes."

"Now, again, give me your hand."

I made a few more drawings, whether it was a tree or an animal, making Fred get used to the drawings.

"Now, you do it yourself."

I told Fred to put his hands in the paint pot and make a drawing by himself.

Like the other times, he got his hands dirty with paint and then extended his hand for me to paint.

As expected, I took his hand and placed it near the tree but let go.

He didn't understand why I let go, so he reached out to me again.

Then I put it back in the direction of the tree.

"Do it, that."

I pointed to the other drawings I had made with him.

Although not intelligent, the Australopithecus would be smarter than an orangutan, which is the most intelligent primate after humans.

So after I pointed to the other drawings, he understood what I wanted, and he began to draw on his own.

It seems there is hope.

He started trying to draw a tree; it didn't turn out very well, but you could see a tree in the drawing. Then I had him draw another and another until there were no more things for him to draw.

Then I called the others from the artist group.

One by one, I directed them on what to do.

With Fred already understanding what to do, he also helped me teach, although his way was just to keep drawing, and the others simply copied his drawings.

Well, no one learned to walk on the day they were born.

One step at a time.

After a few more hours, it was quite late, and many were tired.

So I told them to stop, sleep, and returned to my place at the top of the tree.

Today was a great day; I can hardly believe it worked. For a moment, I thought it would be impossible to teach them half of what I taught today.

Especially the craftsmen; Cornelius surprised me. Should I change his name to Tesla or Newton? Maybe Einstein.

Anyway, I think the Australopithecus are truly between humans and monkeys.

If they were chimpanzees or orangutans, they would hardly learn what I taught, at least not in just one day.

Maybe I can really teach them the basics of things, and for some, maybe the intermediate.

But what really matters to me is that it can be passed down from generation to generation; only then can they evolve.

Well, that's something I'll only find out in the future.