The sali would like no better than to reach out and help itself (maybe try and push the wood off from its leg), but it's distracted when the baby animal beside it tugs, crying, and they instead pat it on the side of the face to soothe it.

"Yes," they answer, sure. "The Forever Ones see everything. They have to know you and your friends are here!"

Why wouldn't they? It made sense to the sali. And they get the bright idea from that, wondering:

"Did they call you? They must've called you!"

It's better - easier - to think about the hope of help, than the noises of what's going on outside, the state of affairs around them. The pain of their leg.