Zawadi
I stood there for a moment under the gloomy clouds. Then water began to sprinkle, cold, and wet on my fur. Drops of water trickled down my body as I stood there frozen, my gaze fixed on the morning's horizon, staring at the beauty of the whole scenario. As the clouds continued crying, I turned and walked away.
I had to take cover quick and joined the Pride under the trees. Unlike most lion prides, the Chewa Pride do not have a den or cave to hide in. So instead we rest under large trees. Doing this, I am avoiding a common cold from the weather. I need all my strength and good health since I do plan on traveling to the Pride Lands very soon with my son Heru.
Speaking of Heru, where is he?
I scan my eyes around. I can see all the Pride members except for my son. Maybe he is still on morning patrol? My daughter in- law "Tish" walks pass.
"Tish!" I called.
She paused in her steps and look over her right furry shoulder. "Yes, Zawadi?"
"Have you seen Heru anywhere?" I ask.
She shook her head. "No. I was just going around the whole Pride asking if they have seen him as well. Last time I saw Heru, was when he left to go on morning patrol. He usually comes home right away when it's bad weather."
"We should go look for him."
"If we go, who will watch over the Pride?"
"I will." Answered a voice.
A lioness younger than us steps forward. It is Tish and Heru's first born daughter, "Hanaa". She is next in line for the throne to become Queen of the Chewa Pride.
Tish looks unsure and worried at her daughter. "I don't know Hanaa. This was never a part of your Queen lessons. I didn't have a chance to go over it yet. You'll be so unprepared!"
Hanaa rolled her eyes with annoyance. "Mom trust me, I got this! I have watched you and dad for years leading our Pride. What worse can possibly happen?"
"I know but-"
I walk up to Tish and place my paw on top of her own. I smile, "Trust your daughter, Tish. She knows what's best! I believe that she can do watch over the Chewa Pride until we return with Heru. The search shouldn't be long!"
Tish lower her ears. She sighs while closing her eyes. "Alright."
Hanaa smiles wide and hugged her mother tight. "Thanks mom! I promise, I will not fail you or dad."
Tish raise her ears back up. She smiles warm and nodded. "I trust you, Hanaa. One day your father and I won't be here. It will be your job to guide our Pride the rest of the way. This will be your first real Queen task!"
Hanaa did not say anything but nod her head with seriousness.
"See ya later!" I say, while leaving from underneath the large tree entering the rain again.
Tish waved at her daughter before following behind me. I truly do hope we can find Heru and that it will not take us all day.
Tish leaps up to my side. "What if something happened to Heru? My daughters need a loving father."
I shake my head. "Don't say such a thing, Tish! I am sure Heru is fine. Think positive okay?"
"I know Zawadi, it's just so odd ya know? He's never been out this long before on any patrol. Especially if it's raining! Heru hates rain."
"Maybe he took shelter somewhere and waited to come home until the rain stops."
Tish nodded. "Yeah, that could be true."
We're walking through the short grasses. I can feel the wet mud underneath my paws by each step I make. It makes a loud "squishy" sound. Ugh, I hate getting my paws dirty! But if I have to get dirty to find my son, than so be it. I'll do whatever it takes to find Heru. He is my only child and the only family member that I have around me. The rest of my family is back at the Sky Leaf Lands and I do not plan to return to them at all. Not even a visit or night stay. The Chewa Pride is where I truly belong. Here I have found peace, love, and happiness.
What more can someone possibly want?
"Wait a minute..." Said Tish, furrowing her brows.
She stopped walking and sniffed the air a few times. The rain has soaked both of our furs. We squint our eyes so we can see better throughout the pouring rain.
"What is it?" I ask.
"I smell three scents! One is familiar, its Heru's. The other two I am not so sure."
"Oh my! Two unknown trespassers in our lands? What if Heru is battling them? Tish, lead us to the direction of the scent quick. Our Heru could be in danger and may need our help."
Tish didn't say anything but ran off. She made a sharp right pass a tree. I quickly follow behind her tail, but careful to not trip over anything or slide down the wet muddy ground. Heru wherever you are please be safe! I continue to think positive in my mind.
"The scents are becoming much stronger now. I believe we are coming close, Zawadi!" Tish yelled, over the loud rain.
"We should slow down some Tish. We don't know what may lie ahead, it could be dangerous!" I ordered.
Tish slowed down her running and turned it more into a jog. I am close beside her now. It is important that we stick together and pay attention. Anything can jump out and attack us. I finally sniff the air and can also smell the same scents Tish had smelled.
It is definitely Heru's scent and someone else's....
"Zawadi, get down!" Tish quickly ordered.
She crouches behind a large bush. I follow her actions.
"What's wrong?" I whisper.
"I saw a male lion and a lioness." She replied.
"What were they doing?"
"I don't know. I'll take a quick look!"
Tish slowly peep her head from out the bush.
"They're looking for something it seems like." She whispered.
"Hmm..." I said to myself, thinking.
"RAAAAWWWRRRRR!!!"
Tish and I both raise our ears in full alert. A lion's powerful roar had brought our full attention. A roar that we both know and recognize. It's Heru's! It is good to know that he is still alive.
"Heru!" Tish smiles wide.
Heru tackled both the male lion and his lioness down strongly. Tish and I remained hiding behind the bush. We watch in silence.
"Who are you trespassers? I am the King of this land. You don't belong here!" Heru growls.
"And we don't want to belong!" Snapped the lioness.
The male lion frowned at her. "Shut up, Amai! You're gonna get us killed here." He looked back up at Heru and smiled innocently. "Excuse her your majesty, my apologies! We did not mean to trespass your land. We were just looking for our daughter."
"Daughter?"
"Yes. I see she is not here, so we best be leaving."
Heru got off of the lions releasing them. They ran off so fast disappearing in a instant.
"And don't ever come back!" Heru warned. After his sentence, he loudly roared.
When it was clear and now safe, Tish and I emerged from out of the bush. It finally stops raining and the sun slowly makes its appearance from behind the grey clouds.
"Heru!" Tish says excitedly. She runs over and tackles him down like a playful cub.
Heru falls down and laughs with surprise. "Tish?! What are you doing here away from the Pride?"
"Your mother and I came to look for you. You've been on patrol for a long time. We worried!"
"Mom?"
I walk over to them joining the happy scene. I smile nodding my head, "Yes son. Normally, you return home late morning hour. It was just odd for us that's all! I am glad that your okay. Who were those lions anyway?"
"Some lions looking for their child." He responded.
Tish got off him, while shaking her head in disappointment. "And you scared them away? Oh Heru!"
Heru sat halfway up. "What? I had to protect everyone. They could have been lying, who knows!"
I look unsure. "Hmm, i don't know. That male lion did look serious about that. The lioness, not so much. It is hard to tell Tish. What Heru did was right. We can't risk anyone we don't know try to hurt our Pride."
Tish thought about it then nodded. "Your right, Zawadi. Well at least they're gone! I dont think they will come back. They're afraid of Heru." After her last sentence, she laughed.
I chuckled. "Very, true! My son knows how to give out a mean roar."
Heru blushes while scratching the back of his neck. "Oh wow, it was nothing really..."
He then thought out loud, "Wait, If you guys are here, then who is watching the Pride?"
"Hanaa." Tish replies.
"What?"
I nodded. "Yup! She offered. This is a serious task for her. Let's go back home and see how she's done."
Heru smirks. "Hanaa always doing something to impress me."
"And I am sure she's done great! I trusted her." Said Tish, smiling.
We all walked together back at the Chewa Pride. When we arrived, we saw that everything is still in perfect order. Now that the warm sun is out shinning bright, everyone is out from underneath the trees and are sunbathing in the grass. Cubs are running around playing with laughter.
"Wow, she's done great!" I compliment, with surprise.
"Indeed, she has." Heru nodded.
The three of us walk deep inside the Pride. Heru and Tish's second born daughter "Bia" runs up to us with hugs.
"Mom, dad, grandma your back!" She smiles.
"Hello, sweetheart!" Tish greeted. She licks the top of her daughter's head.
"Hey there Bia! Where is your sister?" Heru asked.
"Over there sitting underneath that tree." Bia pointed.
Heru went over there with Tish, while I decided to stay behind. I plop down on the grass and roll over on to my back. I am sun bathing with my eyes closed.
"Mind if I join you grandma?" Bia asks me.
"Sure, dear!" I smiled.
Bia finds a spot next to me and lays down on her back too. Unlike me, doesn't close her eyes. Instead she watches the now white clouds move across the blue early afternoon sky. We both lay their in silence enjoying the peace.
What a morning...