Mother Forest is our story's stand-in for Nature, a kind and wise mother-figure who shapes her animal children with special gifts—the unique tools they will use to survive and thrive. As the animals try out their gifts, we see how each animal's special advantage comes with its own challenges, as part of the give-and-take of evolution. Mother Forest, in her wisdom, has thought through everything and shows the animals how to get the best out of what she has given them. When Mother Forest visits one rambunctious family of apes, the tale takes a personal turn and their gift kicks off their journey of transformation into… us!