Neko and the Heart of the Jungle

NEKO AND THE HEART OF THE JUNGLE A poetic fable about getting lost and returning transformed by the wisdom of the jungle. Sometimes, to find ourselves, we must lose ourselves in the unknown. Nature and diversity do not divide us: they teach us how to live together, to listen, and to discover that the wildest things can also be the wisest. Luis Ochoa Siguencia The content of this book is inspired by the values of cultural diversity, spirituality, and respect for nature. All references to Indigenous worldviews are symbolic and poetic in nature, not literal or anthropological. The illustrations, texts, and educational resources may be used in educational settings as long as the license is respected and the original source is cited. NEKO AND THE HEART OF THE JUNGLE A poetic fable about getting lost and returning transformed by the wisdom of the jungle. Luis Ochoa Siguencia . Czestochowa, 2025 Legal notice Original title: Neko y el corazón de la selva Author: Luis Ochoa Siguencia DOI of the original edition: 10.5281/zenodo.15749626 English translation by: Instytut Badań i Innowacji w Edukacji (INBIE) Language editing by: Katherine Chalaco Vallejo Published by: © 2025 Instytut Badań i Innowacji w Edukacji (INBIE) https://inbie.pl License: This version is prepared and made available here for open noncommercial purposes. It is made available under the Creative Commons BY-NC-ND license so that readers are alerted to the distribution and use rights of the book, and to the educational nature of the book. (Creation – Non-Commercial – No Derivative Works) The pictures were created by artificial intelligence under the creative direction of the author. DOI of this edition: 10.5281/zenodo.16414192 Printed in: Częstochowa, Poland Year of publication: 2025 DEDICATION To Renata Ochoa-Dąderska, who inhabits my inner forest like a silent root. To you, who is not a character in this fable— but the breeze that pushes the butterfly's wings, the gentle shade where Neko rests, the memory that vibrates in every stone. There is not a line in this story that didn't sprout from some seed of yours — a word, a gesture, a fire lit in the middle of the thicket. If this book speaks of getting lost, it's because you taught me that sometimes you find yourself when someone waits still, on the other side of the forest. LETTER FROM THE AUTHOR Sometimes a story isn't born from an idea, but from a whisper. That's how it was with Neko: I didn't invent it — I heard it. Perhaps it called to me from some wet stone on the mountain, or from a drum someone was beating deep in the forest. Maybe it was a butterfly that brushed against my face and left me with its question. This fable doesn't seek to explain, but to accompany. It's not a lesson: it's a bonfire lit in the middle of the wilderness, where the reader can sit and listen, and perhaps recognise themselves. I wrote this fable in remembrance of numerous roots: of the people who honour the earth, of my youth that searched for stars between branches, of the people who taught me that the unknown also guides. If Neko reaches your heart, it is not because of what he says, but because of what he does not say. I appreciate your dedication to going through Neko's experience. Your involvement is greatly appreciated and adds irreplaceable richness to this experience. Thank you for choosing to read with your hearts. It is through this empathetic lens that Neko's story truly comes alive. Luis Ochoa Siguencia Częstochowa, 2025 Bibliographic record Ochoa Siguencia, L. (2025). Neko and the Heart of the Jungle. Instytut Badań i Innowacji w Edukacji (INBIE). https://doi.org/10.5281/zenodo.16414192 9 CONTENT 🟢 Part I: The Fable Symbolic Map of Neko's Journey ........................................... 11 The Little Explorer .................................................................. 13 A Family Like None ................................................................ 14 The Most Awaited Announcement ..........................................15 Preparations Between Meows and Laughter ........................ 16 Heading to the Green Heart .................................................. 17 Welcome to the Wild Kingdom .............................................. 18 The Butterfly of Destiny ......................................................... 19 Alone, But Not Lost ................................................................ 20 Kuntur, the Forest Cat ............................................................ 21 The Village Among the Trees ................................................. 22 Jungle Apprentice .................................................................. 23 Voices of Fire and Wind ......................................................... 24 Words of the Forest ............................................................... 25 The Dance of the Spirits ........................................................ 26 The Reunion .......................................................................... 27 Return with New Roots .......................................................... 28 A Story to Share .................................................................... 29 The Day of the Jungle ............................................................ 30 Moral of the Green Heart ........................................................ 31 16 PREPARATIONS BETWEEN MEOWS AND LAUGHTER That night, Neko's house was a whirlwind of excitement. Yaku ran around with his rag ball: Take it with you in case you play soccer with the monkeys! Nira said, "Better bring some crayons, so you can draw what you see", as she handed him a pencil case. Kuri tried to pack a fishing rod, but Pukuna laughed: The Cueva de los Tayos, in the Cordillera del Cóndor, is a sacred place for the Shuar people. Fishing is not allowed there. Neko must carry only the essentials. Nuna, wrapping sardine sweets in bijao leaves, gave him a smooth stone. Touch it if you feel lost. Remember: you are part of the forest. Neko placed the stone next to her flashlight, notebook, and blanket. He hesitated for a moment. He gripped the stone and took a deep breath. "Trust. You are part of the forest", he told himself. He was ready. Or so he thought. 17 HEADING TO THE GREEN HEART Dawn painted the trees gold as Neko arrived at school, backpack slung over his shoulder, heart pounding like a drum. The other kittens were already lined up, with knitted hats, flowery backpacks, and twitching tails. Teacher Felisa led them toward the large tree bus: an old hollow trunk with rattan wheels and fern seats. When the kittens entered, a macaw—a jungle guide bird with blue feathers, a yellow neck, white cheeks, and a black throat—handed them seed necklaces and said in a calm voice, "So the jungle will recognise you as friends". During the trip, the kittens sang and told jokes. They stared open-mouthed at the landscapes: rivers that meandered like water anacondas, trees that spoke to the wind, and clouds shaped like jaguars. Neko clung to his necklace. It wasn't just a dream anymore. He was on his way to discover the green heart of the world. 18 WELCOME TO THE WILD KINGDOM The tree bus stopped at the edge of the Uyari River, where woven bark canoes were waiting. The excited kittens put on vests made of palm leaves and climbed aboard. Neko sat on the bow, the wind rustling his whiskers. As they sailed, the jungle welcomed them with its symphony: toucans trumpeted from the treetops, jumping monkeys waved from vines, and butterflies fluttered like fragments of rainbows. "Look, a sloth sleeping among the flowers!" Kuri shouted. Teacher Felisa encouraged them to draw what they saw, to listen to the sounds without speaking, to breathe the new air with gratitude. Neko closed his eyes for a moment and felt the heart of the jungle beating in time with his own. 19 THE BUTTERFLY OF DESTINY After hours of travel, the canoes arrived at a clear beach. The kittens came down to stretch their legs and drink coconut water. "Don't stray", Felisa warned. "The jungle embraces, but it also tests". Neko, curious, walked away a few steps. A blue butterfly with gold spots landed on his snout. It left a warm sensation, as if carrying an invisible message. Then it took flight. What if I just follow her a little bit? he thought. What if I get lost? He took a step. Then another. He thought: just a moment… And he ran. He leapt over roots. He crossed clearings. He continued his brilliant dance. Until everything fell silent. I didn't listen to anyone anymore. I was alone. 20 ALONE, BUT NOT LOST Neko stopped under a giant tree. The butterfly was gone. The silence was so deep that he heard his own heart. Everything around him was green: rustling leaves, roots like sleeping snakes, branches hiding the sky. A rustling sound made him catch his breath. An animal? The forest breathing? "Calm down", he told himself. "Breathe like Mom taught you. Think like an explorer". He took out his notebook. He drew what he remembered: a rock. A crooked tree. Footprints near the water. Then he turned on his flashlight. He found shelter under thick roots, ate a sardine and gently caressed the stone that Nuna had given him. I still didn't know if I was lost or not. But at least… I wasn't so scared. 21 KUNTUR, THE FOREST CAT As the first rays of light filtered through the treetops, Neko awoke to the soft crunch of footsteps on the dry leaves. From the mist emerged a young wild cat, with mottled fur and necklaces of seeds and feathers that clinked as if whispering ancient prayers. "Are you lost or searching?" he asked calmly. I think… a little of both", Neko replied. I'm Kuntur, from the Felinoshua tribe. I saw you last night. The jungle has taken care of you. He offered him guayusa water and cooked cassava. Neko ate in silence, watching Kuntur walk as if every root knew him. "Come", he said with a smile. "My people want to meet you. The jungle still has much to show you". 22 THE VILLAGE AMONG THE TREES Kuntur guided Neko along paths between roots and rivers until they reached a village suspended in giant trees, connected by bridges of vines. From above, cats of all colours watched him. They wore achiote and wituk paintings, fibre tunics, and necklaces of seeds and feathers. The older female cat approached with a smile. One of them placed a necklace on his neck and said softly, "Welcome, little wind". Neko didn't know why, but he felt the wind embracing him, too. The younger ones surrounded him with fruits, smiles, and sounds in their own language. Neko, for the first time since becoming lost, was not scared. He felt at home. Kuntur winked at him: I told you. Here, the jungle encloses. 23 JUNGLE APPRENTICE The following days were a whirlwind of discoveries. Each dawn brought something new; each night, stories under the stars. Neko learned to fish with nets woven by the elders. He skilfully threw them into the clear river. He also collected wild fruits of shapes and colours he'd never imagined. Some shone like the sun; others looked like something out of a dream. He played with the tribe's kittens, a spinning top made of local wood and rope, called a garrufio (werenk). This Shuar game taught them agility, patience, balance, and teamwork. Kuntur taught him to ask permission before taking anything from the forest, to listen to the rustling of the leaves as if hearing advice, and to walk without disturbing the spirits of the place. Little by little, Neko stopped feeling like a visitor. He was an apprentice of the jungle, and the jungle was beginning to speak to him in his language. 24 VOICES OF FIRE AND WIND One night, under a starry sky, the community gathered around the fire to listen to Grandfather Long-Nail, the wisest shaman. Dressed in a cape of black feathers and with blue paint on his moustache, he spoke in a slow voice: The forest has invisible but present spirits. Shakaim, guardian of the trees. Tsunki, soul of the rivers. Nunkui, mother of the fertile earth. Etsa, the sun that awakens life: Arútam, spirit of the universe. He paused for a long moment. The wind blew gently. They say that in the Cueva de los Tayos, the echoes don't repeat themselves... they whisper what you should hear. It's a living stone, guardian of ancient secrets. There, the water sings with the voice of the ancestors. As he spoke, the flames seemed to dance with his words. The wind blew as if it was listening too. That evening, Neko slept in the maloca under a woven blanket. The fire crackled and popped, and stories wafted on the rafters like butterflies. He found out that silence also teaches. And that certain words have their roots in the heart. 25 WORDS OF THE FOREST The following day, Kuntur took Neko to the farm. There, yucca and medicinal plants were sown by cats with soft hands and soft prayers. Each seed was sown with respect, each root taken in appreciation. Kuntur explained: "Here, everything is asked for with respect before being taken". The Earth always listens. Every root holds the memory of those who walk with respect. Neko helped carry baskets and participated in a randimpa: everyone worked together, with no one in charge. Their feet kept time with the drum, and laughter mingled with the wind. That night, Grandfather Long-Nail whispered to him: If you take care of the earth, it will take care of you. If you share, you will never be alone. Neko wrote those words in his notebook. He no longer just drew the jungle: now he also wrote its wisdom. 32 And if you made it to this point... May the jungle you discovered in these pages continue to grow silently within you. Listen. Observe. Be grateful. Sometimes stories don't end: they simply become roots. 33 TEACHING RESOURCES 34 PEDAGOGICAL INTRODUCTION Letter to the one who is heading this reading More than just a fable, 'Neko and the Heart of the Jungle' is an invitation to marvel, to listen, and to be transformed. Through Neko’s journey, we offer an experience that makes children wonder, appreciate nature, and discover that learning is not just knowing but also feeling, dreaming, and sharing. A fable that teaches "Neko and the Heart of the Jungle" is not meant to present finished lessons, but to induce questions, feelings, and signs that lead to critical thinking, sympathy, and environmental awareness. Its open nature encourages interdisciplinary practice in language, ethics, art, and science, and can be adapted for various educational environments. An invitation to the classroom… and the heart This book is a tool for families, teachers, and mediators to promote active reading and engagement. Each chapter, symbol, and activity is a time for children to enter their “inner jungle”, their values, feelings, fears, and dreams. Neko's journey is ours as well. We just need to be open to seeing with our hearts. 35 GUIDED SELF-REFLECTION ACTIVITIES MY INNER JUNGLE Teacher's Guide Directed activity for emotional and symbolic reading of the story in class. Objective: To get students to discover themselves through Neko's narrative and learn about their relationship with nature, establishing personal development and self-knowledge. Guide question: What is "seeing with the heart"? Phases of the class 1. Shared reading: Reading the final excerpt of Neko's story aloud - Discussion questions: - What did Neko learn? - What did you learn when you were lost? 2. Class discussion: - Have you ever felt like Neko? - Why does nature make you feel at peace or curious? 36 3. Creative activity: Students draw their inner jungle: what interests them, what scares them, or what they want to know about the jungle. Then, they write one sentence stating their experience, for example: "My jungle taught me that". Result Using the individual paintings and text, a group mural with the title 'We also look with the heart' can be made. The mural can be placed in the class, reading corner, or for a celebration such as "Jungle Day", which promotes community and shared learning. This mural can be displayed in the classroom, in a reading corner, or during a special celebration such as "Jungle Day". 37 MY INNER JUNGLE Student Worksheet Name: _________________ Date: __________________ Instructions: Read the final fragment of Neko's story and reflect on how you felt. Part 1: Written reflection 1. What did Neko learn during his adventure in the jungle? __________________________________________________ __________________________________________________ __________________________________________________ __________________________________________________ 2. Which part of the trip did you enjoy most? Why? __________________________________________________ __________________________________________________ __________________________________________________ __________________________________________________ 3. What does "seeing with the heart" mean to you? __________________________________________________ __________________________________________________ __________________________________________________ __________________________________________________ 38 Part 2: Symbolic drawing Draw your own "inner jungle" in the space below. You can include symbols of what you love, what makes you curious, or what brings you peace. Part 3: Building a personal sentence Create a sentence that shows what you discovered or sensed from Neko's experience. 39 CAM LEARNING MODEL (Creative–Analytical–Managed) 1 Neko's adventure into the jungle is more than a reading adventure, but an educational journey that accompanies students as they discover themselves. CAM enables us to enter the story using three fundamental dimensions of learning: Creative Dimension What inspires the imagination of the child? What encourages them to create? - Plot the "inner jungle". - Create personal symbols (the blue butterfly or Nuna stone) - Be involved in the making of a group mural or Jungle Day celebration. Analytical Dimension What did this story mean to me? How do I relate to it in my life? - Think about the idea of "see with the heart". - Respond to individual questions regarding Neko's journey. - Compare story symbols with your values or emotions. Managed Dimension How do I organise my emotions, decisions, and actions? - Recognise how Neko changed throughout the trip - Work in 40 a group to prepare an activity (mural, exhibition) - Write personal phrases that integrate the experience Example of CAM integration in the classroom Story activity CAM Dimension Pedagogical purpose Draw the "inner jungle". Creative Visually express emotions and self-knowledge Reflect on "seeing with the heart". Analytics Interpret a metaphor and link it to experience Phrase "My jungle taught me that…" Analytics Synthesise learning from a personal perspective Prepare a mural or exhibition Managed Collaborate, make decisions, and share publicly This approach turns each reader into an explorer of their learning, much like Neko was in the jungle. 1 Ochoa Siguencia, L. (2025). The CAM Learning Model: A framework for digital innovation in adult education. Zenodo. https://doi.org/10.5281/zenodo.15375356 41 SYMBOLIC AND SPIRITUAL DICTIONARY OF THE JUNGLE Wisdom of the Jungle Ánent Sacred song of gratitude It is sung with the soul, to thank the jungle, the spirits And those around us. Randimpa Community work with joy When everyone collaborates without anyone giving orders, the effort becomes a celebration. Shakaim Spirit of the trees and hands Protect those who plant, carve, weave and respect the forest. Tsunki Spirit of water and rivers Guardian of fish, dreams and the flow of life. Nunkui (or Nunké) Mother of the fertile earth 48 Games and customs Garrufio (Werenk) An old string and wood spinning top. It glides softly across the earth like a thought. Mastering it brings patience, dignity, and common joy. Woven nets Braids handwoven by cunning fingers, cast with skill into the river. They not only feed, they tie the child to the beat of water and the richness of the woods. Bathing in the river It's not only a game, it's a morning routine. That's where individuals laugh, learn how to swim, and play amongst the roots and the rocks. The water patiently teaches them to trust, to flow, and to take care of each other. Wicker swings With vines hanging from the trees, children fly between branches. The swinging teaches them balance, strength, and shared joy. Races in the jungle They run among roots, leaves, and invisible paths. They gain speed, wit, and laughter that is born without rules. 49 Hunting games They imitate jaguars, throw sticks like arrows, and hide like monkeys. This is how they train their aim, listening skills, and the patience of a hunter. Dance of the Little Ones Children often imitate animals like jaguars, monkeys, or hummingbirds. They jump, spin, and howl. They play like others. Thus, the game becomes listening to the forest. 50 51 52 MAP OF NEKO'S WISDOM Neko's map isn't drawn on paper, but in the memory of his heart. Each place he visited on his journey holds a seed of wisdom, a lesson that grew silently beneath his explorer's skin. Learning Tree It is here that Neko learned to see unhurried, to paint the thing that had no name, and to hear the whispers in the forest with his eyes closed. This was his initial step towards higher knowledge: to see, not with his eyes, but with his soul. Circle of Fire Across the starry firmament, he listened to the eternal words of Grandfather Long-Nail. They were not sounds, but a living melody which ignited the roots of the world. There, he discovered that wisdom does not always scream: occasionally, it whispers across flames and winds. Cueva de los Tayos In the heart of the mountains, Neko lived with the Shuar. He learned that water doesn't just flow: it sings. That stone doesn't just hold: it guards. And that the invisible guides more than we realise. There, silence spoke to him for the first time. 53 Shelter Under the Roots When he thought he was lost, he found the courage to listen to his voice. In the stillness of his roots clinging to the earth, Neko discovered that solitude can also be companionship, and that sometimes, losing one's way is the beginning of finding it. Community Farm He planted with others, without orders, only with rhythm and respect. He learned that shared work doesn't burden, that the earth listens, and that every seed planted with love has the power to blossom in many hearts. Ceremony of the Ánent During the evening, he danced with ghosts and cats; the jungle claimed him for itself. Witty with achiote and wituk, clothed in palm, he knew that his path was not all external. It was an internal dance as well. Star on the Roof Neko stood at home and gazed up towards the sky, comprehending: the jungle was no longer far away now. It was present in his steps, his words, his care, and his ears. The star didn't mark the end of the journey, but its inner start. 54 This map doesn't need a compass. All it needs is a heart willing to get lost — and to listen. 55 CULTURAL NOTE This fable is born from a sense of wonder and respect for people who listen to the earth with an awakened heart. It is particularly inspired by the worldview of the Shuar people, whose words, songs, and connections to the forest are woven throughout many of the story's pages. The aim here is not to represent their culture literally or to teach about their actual practices. Rather, this fable, like Neko, humbly peers at the edge of the forest, grateful for the wisdom that dwells there, without taking what doesn't belong to it. The characters and spirits inspired by Shuar culture—such as Shakaim, Tsunki, Nunkui, and Arútam—appear in this story as a symbolic tribute, not a literal representation of their worldview. They serve as a metaphor and guide within the story, offering an invitation to approach the world in other ways with respect, curiosity, and care. If this fable sows anything, it's gratitude. And if it dreams of anything, it's that those who read it will continue walking with more questions than answers, with their ears tuned to the wind... and their hearts open to learning. 56 It can also serve as a gateway to conversations in the classroom or with family about cultural diversity, spirituality, and environmental stewardship. 57 EPILOGUE This book may end here, but the journey continues within you. Every time you hear a tree rustling, or get lost trying to find yourself, remember Neko…and let the jungle speak to you too.