A new morning brought the heat giver into the darkness and the morning choir of feathered singers greeted the land as the kingdom awoke and the nocturnal creatures said their goodbyes to the night shift. "Could this day be any different from any other?" he thought to himself as he wondered into the morning light. A deafening roar came from his mouth and his long rugged tongue swiped across his teeth like a hurricane wiping through a village. His eyes were honeycomb yellow and focused on the mission for the day...SURVIVAL! The nearby stream was his regular drinking hole for this time of day. Agymah stooped his head down to the muddy water, after a quick drink he caught a glimpse of himself, startled and concerned he quickly reversed and shook his head dry in the hope that his thoughts would also be shaken and leave him forever.
A few miles walk away, Kianga was walking her two cubs through the cool night, ever grateful for their presence in her life that she had named them by their characters. The eldest cub Dumaka was named because even from birth he had been a male she respected, a young male to always look out for his family and lend a helping hand when needed, a true warrior in the making. Her second, a playful cub full of curiosity and intrigue, a real burst of energy. She was crowned Limber for she brought many days of happiness to this three cord family. The morning sun rays were like beams of joy to these protected three. As they yawned, their mouths and eyes spoke of unity, strength and togetherness ready to groom each other for the day ahead. Grooming was also a subtle way of checking for wounds and cuts from the thorn bushes that had a habit of rolling into them during the dark night.
Kianga starts to look for their breakfast, her shoulders held back as she walks behind her little hero's keeping a watchful eye for a morning predator.
Completely oblivious in harmony, they walk closer to Agymah's territory. He is also walking, pounding with frustration searching for his breakfast carrying a stronger need than the day before. The only thing between them is a few miles of dust on their paws and time. Their need for nourishment grows deeper as their eyes become more vigilant of the slightest movement within the undergrowth. Their hunger grows along side their impatience. The hunters war drums accompanied by melodies of encouragement can be heard ringing in their ears. The breeze whistles through the trees and creates whisper sounds that startles the cubs. Kianga reassures them with the strong purr of words "Do not be afraid my little hero's, i am watching over you and nothing can hurt you."
The smell of an infant Gazelle suddenly awakens Agymah's senses and he pauses immediately. His adrenalin of the chase returns and he is reunited with the enthusiasm he shared a few moons ago with his hunting companions. A rustle was heard and two tiny ears appeared, this was all the evidence he needed and he suddenly sprung into attack chasing the Gazelle further into the plains. A sharp turn to the left and then to the right zig-zagging intensely as these two battled it out for survival. His energy was boosted when the scared infant slipped and fell but rose quickly but unfortunately was still too quick for the tired warrior. Within a few moments Kianga sensed breakfast in the air and sharpened her vision with a squint. Ears pinned back for the best radar like hearing she caught a glimpse of the Gazelle closely followed by a struggling out of breath lion. She joined the chase and together they wore the running infant out. Kianga pounced onto the back of the sprinting Gazelle which meant Agymah could dive and sink his teeth deep into its neck. Within seconds breakfast was prepared. They both tore into the flesh and ripped the Gazelle into tiny pieces. Dumaka and Limber arrived at the murder scene full of admiration for their mother for her perseverance and skill in providing for them yet again. A glance of gratitude was shared between the blood faced adults as the cubs ate the smaller portions of dripping flesh.
After breakfast Agymah was the first to leave, clearly proud of his effort and restoration process to his former energized self.
Life was stolen from the young Gazelle and credited to its killers and over many moons Dumaka and Limber had become young adults, fearless, wise and perfectly capable of preparing their own meals. They now shared the responsibility of protection and shared it well, defending their family against predators of the night and brave ones during the day. Kianga watched in awe as her once tiny cubs practiced their techniques of combat under the intense African sun. A permanent smile was upon her face and her golden eyes brimmed with calmness.
A gentle breeze stirred the tree above them as they rested under its dancing branches. Kiangas ears suddenly pricked up as she heard a sound different to the dancing leaves. A shadow disappeared into the camouflage quickly joined by another two. Deep patient breathing awoke her senses. It looked like a leopard, but these predators were no match for Kiangas speed and agility, the local pack had learned that lesson before. Then suddenly she caught a glimpse of the rounded ear of a spotted scavenger. These wild dogs were always a threat to any animal, reckless and fast these Hyena's could easily bring panic into any family environment. The first stood up to catch a better glimpse of the resting family, quickly joined by the second and then the third. Before Kianga could stand the Hyenas lurched into a sprint towards them. Dumaka roared which awoke his sister. Together they were ready, united and fearless. The battle began and it was clearly a fight for life. The attackers split from their grouping and each choose their opponent. Kianga had been chosen by the pack leader, clearly a battle of power and knowledge. The roars drowned out the growling of the Hyenas as their razor sharp teeth snapped at the neck of the once calm family. Dumaka leapt onto his challengers back, ripping at the back of his head, claws dug firmly into its shoulders while balancing through out his fight for life. Limber had broken free from her spotted enemy and caught a glimpse of her older brother trying to overcome the anger fueled dog. She jumped forward with a loud roar and swiped her right paw deep into the cheek of the Hyena which brought him to the ground with a dull thud. Tearing her nails through his cheek made his growl come to a end, which left two. Kianga was struggling with her two opponents and as soon as the warrior juniors noticed they instantly went to Kiangas rescue. Limber changed her tactics and dived for the four bony legs while Dumaka leapt between the scavenger and his mother prizing them apart. The second Hyena had its teeth deep into Kiangas neck. Her blood had stained her fur and was she was beginning to grow weary. Dumaka tore at the ear of the spotted dog, ripped it clean off, opened his mouth wide and sunk his teeth deep into the head cracking its skull open in two. The third realizing he was no match for this fearless threesome ran as fast as he could into the plains, dripping of blood, flesh hanging of his back and the taste of failure in his mouth.
The breeze and the battle soon ceased and the reality of it all quickly revisited their minds. Kianga praised her young for their bravery and perseverance, their skills and unity whilst licking and cleaning their wounds. The family had overcome yet another battle even though their appearance said otherwise.
The wind carried the battle sounds across the plains and alerted a nearby pride. Hastily running towards the wounded for their defense came the males of the pride, their manes flowing wildly as they ran through a herd of zebra like the slicing of a hunters knife through fresh meat. Roaring in unity to announce their arrival and to warn off any attackers. Startled and weary Kianga let out a roar that ended their sprint in an instant. The deafening roar of a lioness was a feared thing in these parts, especially Kiangas, and upon realizing her sound they returned to their pride, all except one. The one whose name meant "he who left his family" stayed and quietly hid from view. He saw something he recognized and was not content in not investigating the situation further. Agymah hid until he thought of the right timing to approach. His timing never had been good and this time it was no different. Kianga, although battle worn still had excellent vision and smell and started to chase Agymah away from her family. She chased him far across the plains, far away from the battle scene. Knowing that she had gone far enough eventually she turned her back on the intruder, wounded bloodstained and tired she finally made her way home to her young heroes and the shade of the dancing tree.
Agymah could not face ridicule from yet another pride for his softness so he left and made yet another home in the mountains, high above the sun kissed plains and alone. As he walked up the jagged rocks he began to remember what he had recognized from down below. He remembered the teamwork, the togetherness, the final achievement of the silencing of a young Gazelle. He remembered Kianga and the glance they shared during their needed chase. A sudden thought entered his mind, a thought that challenged him at the time of their first meeting, the same thing he saw in Kiangas eyes when she saw him lacking in strength. A thought that proclaimed "If i want just a lion i will choose just a lion"
Unable to sleep under the moonlit sky, Agymah was troubled with his recent findings. To be close to Kianga he had to be strong, fearless and a lion she could lean on for protection of her family, yet he had grown into something completely opposite. His roar had lost its fierousness and all the other lions of not just one but now two prides laughed at him because he liked to sit in the shadows of a dancing tree under the hot African sun relaxing while others provided the freshly caught meals.
His nights had become long and his days even longer as he fought with himself high above the landscaped battlegrounds. He could easily remember how he used to be before his first expulsion, yet he could not figure out how to be that way again. He was not the same lion that the young lioness's used to like and play games with. His achievement with the younger Kianga meant so much more than any of that and in just one glance he witnessed something he had never seen before, something truly captivating, a true lioness, one to be honored and adored for her qualities strengths and motherhood. Kianga's reputation was known all over the plains and many a lion had tried to be her chosen one but many had failed. Kianga knew what she wanted and did not settle for just any regular lion. There was a time where Agymah would have been fierce competition from any opponent but that seemed so many sunsets ago to this lonely warrior.
The heat from the African sun had become intense and the land had grown dry. This had happened many times before and was not a stranger to Agymah who remembered the struggles of survival from his past. The once moist valleys were cracked and brown, the green trees had disappeared and tensions had become high between all the land dwellers. The seasonal battle of wisdom and strategy versus energy had become their focus.
Kianga searched for miles to find a watering hole for her beloved heroes as they sat tired under a withered tree. It was important to her that her once baby cubs rested while she searched, to save as much energy as they could should a young Gazelle come into view. This close family worked hard as a team, spurred on by love and commitment to each other. The respect for each other was woven into them like a stream that weaves its way down a mountainside, turning this way and that way, overcoming any rocks or tree trunks that lay in its path. Kianga's mother was also known in this land, and what she had been taught by her mother had been handed down through the generations. These whispers of wisdom were secrets to survival and were held with great esteem to this fearless threesome.
Darkness grew closer as the evening sun disappeared into the ground. The air was cool and the creatures of the night started to appear slowly one by one. Agymah made his way down the steep rocky mountain side, slowly placing his paws along the lonesome path he had created. He was unaware of two bright yellow eyes following him as he descended down the slope. Eyes that watched him from a distance, eyes that were full of protection love and commitment, eyes that belonged to Kianga. Crouched down behind some rocks silent and motionless, watching every move Agymah made Kianga was ready to protect her family once again. Agymah made his way into a valley unknown to her. Patient and curious she slowly followed him step by step, she placed her paws in the same prints that he had made in the dust but in a more delicate silent way than his. The white circle had appeared in the night sky and the stars began to twinkle and flicker. Agymah paused, arched his shoulders and leaned his head forward into a rippling flow of undiscovered water.
Kianga waited until his thirst had been quenched, he lifted his head, blinked his eyes and roared. Refreshed, he made his way to rest under a nearby deserted tree.
Content and peaceful with her findings, Kianga turned her head and looked straight at where the mountain climber lay. With a quiet purr she revealed her gratefulness and realised that she had been following more than just a lion.
© Travelling Boy content belongs to Philip D Norris
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