Years after a man saved a wounded gorilla from the wilderness, the two of them reconnected, and the wild animal’s actions astounded everyone 
Once, while the gorilla was still a small infant, a man discovered it injured in the bush. It had a wound on its paw and was hardly breathing as it lay still in the damp grass. The man was unable to simply leave; instead, he carried the small animal home after carefully wrapping it in his coat.
He changed its bandages, gave it a bottle to drink, kept it warm by the fireplace, and chatted to it like a child.
Both the man and the gorilla quickly became accustomed to their rescuer. Over the course of their several months together, the gorilla developed into a robust, capable animal with exceptionally compassionate eyes.
But it was illegal to keep a wild animal at home. When the neighbors noticed the big animal through the window one day, they informed the police.
Animal protection officers showed up the following day. Assuring them that the gorilla would not hurt anyone, the guy pleaded with them not to take his companion away, but the decision had already been made.
The elderly guy was left alone in his deserted home after the gorilla was removed. He wept, unable to comprehend the loss, and sat beside the empty cage for a long time, caressing the old rope the gorilla used to play with.
Years went by. After being relocated to a nearby zoo, the gorilla soon adjusted to its new surroundings. Its intelligence and peaceful disposition astounded the zookeepers; it never shown violence and constantly looked at people with soft curiosity.
In the meantime, a brain tumor was discovered in the elderly guy. Doctors said he had only a month or two to live because the sickness was progressing so quickly. Even though he was barely able to move from his bed, spoke little, and ate little, he never stopped thinking about wanting to see his friend the gorilla one last time.
After reading his story in the local newspaper, the zoo’s administration was so affected that they agreed to fulfill his last request.
The man was carried to the zoo on a blanket-covered stretcher on the day of the meeting. His eyes were half-closed and his breathing was labored, but he was joyful. He was gently led into the enclosure by the workers once they had opened the gate. The gorilla sat with its back to us in a corner.
It turned when it heard a slight cough. It simply gazed at the man for a few seconds, as though its eyes were incredulous. Then, with sluggish, heavy steps, it started to approach. They held their breath, the zookeepers.
After all those years, they were certain the gorilla wouldn’t recall the guy, and they had tranquilizers on hand in case.
The old guy was approached by the gorilla, which then dipped its head and performed something that startled everyone 
After lightly touching and sniffing his hand, the gorilla made a deep, melancholy noise before abruptly encircling him with its arms.
As though terrified of losing him again, it kept him close without squeezing. As though it were crying, its eyes glistened, its respiration quickened, and it made quiet, melancholy sounds.
With a slight smile, the elderly guy lifted his hand and caressed its head.
Nobody was able to contain their tears. As if talking to him, the gorilla sat next to him, still holding him, rocking softly back and forth and making soft, nearly human-sounding noises.
When the man closed his eyes a few minutes later, the staff realized he had slept out for good.
The gorilla sat next to him for a long time without moving, and when the zookeepers attempted to remove the body, it resisted. It barked to defend him until they were certain that they would carry him away respectfully and tenderly.
