A water hole in the Serengeti plains needs a leader who will represent all creatures who need water. A Prefect is elected every wet season to monitor the water and make sure everyone is served. But choosing the Prefect is often contentious. This year, the choice is between a Fischer’s Lovebird and a Leopard — and the election is emotional, ridden with conflict and, indeed, personal.

In the end the Lovebird is elected and she immediately sees the need for healing — the need for the creatures to unite again. Luckily, she flies to the top branch of a nearby acacia tree and is able to see the land and all its creatures together. And that image helps her know what to do.

This is a story about a difficult and hurtful election and the kind of empathy and courage it take to heal and unite a community when the election is over.