Eyes on the Ledge

Mohit adjusted his safety harness one more time and checked his walkie-talkie. The rocky cliff face of Adventure Island's towering mountain stretched endlessly above him, golden sunlight making the stone shimmer like treasure.

"Ready for another attempt," he spoke into his device, though nobody answered back. His climbing rope hung loosely from his harness, the same rope that had snapped twice yesterday during his practice climbs.

He tied one end around his waist and secured the other to a sturdy metal anchor he'd hammered into the rock near the mountain's base. The peaceful lagoon sparkled far below, surrounded by vibrant green forests that swayed in the warm breeze.

"Third time's the charm," Mohit muttered, gripping the rough stone. He pulled himself up, muscles straining as he found his first foothold. The rope felt different today - maybe it would hold.

Above him, something moved on a narrow ledge. A pair of bright eyes watched his progress with what looked like amusement.

The Talking Rescuer

Mohit reached for his next handhold when the rope snapped with a sharp crack. He plummeted toward the rocky ground, his heart hammering against his ribs.

A flash of cream-colored fur shot past him. The mountain goat from the ledge had somehow launched herself down the cliff face, moving with incredible speed and precision. She landed on a narrow outcropping directly below Mohit and braced herself.

"Grab my horns!" she called out in perfect English.

Mohit's eyes widened, but he had no choice. His hands closed around her curved horns just as his feet found solid rock. The goat's muscles tensed under his grip, holding him steady against the mountain face.

"You can talk?" Mohit gasped, still catching his breath.

"Of course I can talk. I'm Kira," she replied, her intelligent dark eyes studying his frayed rope end. "That's your third rope this week, isn't it?"

Mohit stared at her. "How did you know that?"

Kira's ears twitched with what looked like amusement. "I've been watching you fail spectacularly every day. Your knots are terrible."