CHAPTER 3 – Captured!
It was during the spring months of that very same year when the humans came into the Pride Lands. They were first spotted along the edge of the northern border, but they swiftly made their way to the water hole. Dad and I went to check out the situation.
What we saw there was bad. Animals were confined to cages that were loaded onto something that we heard one man call "trucks." The grass around the campsite was burnt down to the soil, probably from a campfire that got out of control. Small tan and green tents were in a tight semi-circle, with the caged animals at one end.
Several men patrolled the area, marching back and forth, probably in hopes of protecting themselves from being hunted by some of the predatory animals. Another group of men was over by the cages, looking at what they had caught.
"We need to alert the others," dad said, and we dashed off back to Pride Rock.
The sun was high in the sky when we got there. Only Mom and Taka were there, the other lionesses had gone out hunting in the southern parts of the Pride Lands.
"I'm going back there with you," Taka said, coming forward, once we had relayed the information.
"I am going as well," mom said.
"No Zuri, stay here. We don't know how dangerous these humans are yet. They have already captured some of people. Who knows what they are going to do!"
"Ahadi, this is my kingdom as much as it is yours. As your queen I will do whatever it takes to help you get these humans out of the Pride Lands."
I could see dad's hesitation, but after a moment, he consented, knowing that he would never be able to change my mother's mind now that it was made up. So together, we once again headed back to the water hole.
We found a great lookout spot at the top of a hill overlooking the camp. But we did not stay there long. We were now close enough to hear the conversations of the men as they talked by the fire, cleaning these shiny metal sticks that the leader called guns.
"Be on your guard men," the leader, Butch Narma said. "Just a few more animals and then we can head back to the boss."
At this, Taka let out a low, menacing growl.
Narma was instantly at his feet. "What was that?"
"Over there! A couple of lions!" shouted another.
"Get them!"
They rushed forward, grabbing up guns, and began to shoot at us. My family and I tried to dodge and duck into safety, but I saw each one of them fall. I turned and ran back, seeing red, wanting to kill the humans for what they had done. But as I ran, something struck me in the neck. It felt like a sting, yet it was worse than any animal sting I had experienced. I became inexpiably tired and I soon crashed to the ground.