Final point ten.
The Guardians of the Wild, The Gambia.
I knew today was going to be the most important day of my life.
I had travelled thousands of miles,
crossed treacherous seas and deserts,
been entangled in fishing line, and even shot at, all to be there.
As we came over the ridge, we saw them for the first time:
a thousand different creatures around an ancient Baobab tree.
We swooped and landed
right in the heart of the Guardians of the Wild.
I was about to speak
when a huge crocodile lumbered alongside us and snapped at Carlos.
What is the meaning of this betrayal?
Why have you brought this human creature?
I didn't wait for their permission to speak.
I don't blame you for being suspicious of me.
I don't think I was born this way.
I woke up in a giant nest with no memories at all.
I was all alone
until I met some children who became my great friends.
You said that if any child showed they really care about nature,
you would make them a Guardian of the Wild.
Isn't that right?
We sent that message a year ago, replied the warthog.
No child has ever come.
Humans continue to pollute the air and destroy our habitats.
Nothing will ever change.
The mass of creatures squawked and bayed in agreement.
Well,
I am here to speak for a new generation of human children.
A Generation Wild.
Through nature activities, these kids have shown again
and again, they really do care deeply about animals and nature.
They are worthy of the challenge
and ready to become Guardians of the Wild.
The Guardians beneath the tree
nodded wisely and then huddled together.
I waited a few moments until an ostrich stepped forwards.
She said, we will honour our promise.
Any child who can show they have
been connected with nature will be made a Guardian.
This is a lifelong opportunity to make the world a better place.
A whisper went round amongst the insects, buzzing in the air.
I kept catching snippets: The one. The one.
She must be the one!
At this,
a jackle slunk over and addressing the other Guardians said,
Now is the time, great ones.
There is no question that she is the one.
They nodded.
Looking at me straight in the eye, she said,
Your coming was foretold. Legend says
that if humankind's destruction of nature reaches a critical point,
a magical nest will appear.
It will hold a strange power
that will repel most living creatures, except one.
When that chosen bird lands
in the nest, an extraordinary transformation
will occur, turning the bird into part human.
This creature will bridge the divide between humans and other
animals, reignite humans respect of nature and set events in motion
that will ultimately change the world.
It seems this was your destiny.
I knew this was our cue to leave,
but there was one last thing I had to ask.
So I blurted out, Wait...
What about my family?
Will I ever see them again?
The huge crocodile dragged herself
towards us with a wide, menacing grin.
In a low, leathery voice, she snapped,
Follow the river south until you reach a mangrove swamp.
Locate the Saas tree.
Wait there, you might be lucky.
We came over to the mangrove swamp and found a Saas tree.
I kept looking around,
but there were no other ospreys.
Carlos could see I was disappointed.
He plunged into the water, and emerged
holding a huge flounder, which he
brought to me and insisted I ate all of it.
With the last bite, I felt
a strange feeling in the pit of my stomach.
When things returned to normal,
I felt different.
We looked over the bank and there reflected back were two birds,
two ospreys, to be precise.
When I moved, the bird on the right moved.
It was me.
At that moment I heard a swoosh of air and feathers.
Mum and Dad!
I couldn't believe it was really them!
They wrapped their wings around me and cooed.
Oh, Ava!
We missed you.
We were frantic when you didn't
come back, but we are so proud of you.
We love you, Ava.
I was home at last.
Then Dad gave little whistle and shouted, Boys...
My brothers!
It's wonderful to be with my family again,
but I will never forget my amazing adventure.
And I hope you kids will remember it too.
We are all Guardians of the Wild now, and it's a big responsibility.
We have to keep looking after
nature and every creature big and small.
Thank you for coming on this long journey.
Me, Carlos and my family are going to stay here in The Gambia
for a while, but you never know if you keep looking out for ospreys,
maybe you'll catch sight of me back in the UK.