One jackal pounced on me! I closed my eyes, expecting to feel its sharp teeth sink into me. Instead something knocked it off me! I heard its yelp of pain.
I opened my eyes and couldn't believe what I saw.
Standing between the jackals and I, sword drawn, was Cassim, Aladdin's father! I couldn't believe it. It had been over a year since I last saw him.
Cassim fought the jackals off then turned to me. His dark brown eyes were kind and soft. He slowly walked towards me. I was too tired to move so I merely growled at him.
"Easy, Rajah. It's okay. I'm not going to hurt you."
I was surprised at the kindness in his voice.
He kept coming towards me. It was clear that he wasn't afraid of me.
As he got closer I growled louder. I snarled at him when he was about two feet away. He stopped for the first time.
"Okay. I'll leave you alone for a moment. I need to get some things from my horse anyway."
He turned and walked away. He came back a few moments later with two saddle bags slung over his shoulder. He put them down.
I watched as Cassim opened one and took out some food. Only then did I realize that I was very hungry.
Cassim started a fire and cooked some of the meat he had. He put it on one of the plates he had with him and slowly walked towards me again.
Again, I growled at him.
"Rajah, you're too tired and weak to get up and come get it. Just let me bring it to you. I want to help you. Jasmine sent me out here to find and help you."
When heard that I stopped growling. Cassim smiled and put the plate down in front of me. I ate it hungrily.
Cassim put a large bowl of water down in front of me. I eagerly drank it.
"Slow down, Rajah. You can't just gulp it down like that. Its a few hundred miles to the next oasis where we can get more."
I forced myself to slow down.
Just then I felt Cassim's hand touch my head. I stopped drinking, lifted me head, and looked at him.
His large hand was callous but gentle. The kindess in his touch amazed me. I could see that he had changed for the better since I last saw him.
As I continued to drink the water Cassim cleaned and bandgaed my wounds so they wouldn't get infected.