A/N: Hey guys! I thought I should do a nice Christmas story for you all, so I hope you all enjoy this one.
Haidar stood quietly by the waterhole, it had grown much larger since the rains had come, but it still had not overflowed to any large level. At the moment, it was just right and that was what Haidar liked to see. He watched the creatures around him come over for water or to meet up with the rest of the herd, nobody noticed him; everyone knew he was only surveying the place.
Haidar sighed and looked at the sky, today looked to be a dry day; barely any clouds were out, the perfect day to walk the lands. The rainy season was not over yet though; he knew he had at least three more months before the rains really did stop and that was when he would step up to take his mothers place.
He was so deep in thought that he did not know that someone was stalking him; he bent down to get a quick drink but was quickly knocked aside by Kijani. Haidar looked up at his brother with a gasp before getting off and shaking himself.
"Wow you sure scared me," said Haidar.
"Yeah I could tell that you weren't paying much attention to anything other than what was in front of you so I decided to do what I used to do to you when we were just cubs," said Kijani with a smirk.
"Yes you haven't done that to me in forever, now its bringing me back memories," said Haidar.
"Yeah wasn't it great when we were cubs?" asked Kijani who flopped down on the ground and began to give himself a dirt bath. Haidar only watched and gave a quick chuckle.
"Well I know one thing is for sure, you haven't changed a bit," said Haidar.
"Nope, even though we are twins we are exact opposites," said Kijani as he stood up and shook dust all over.
"And that is quite alright, I remember you telling your father before you left that its good to be opposite, then no one would tell us apart," said Haidar with a small chuckle.
Kijani only smiled and gave a quick stretch before Hondo appeared with a juicy rabbit in his jaws.
"Anybody want a snack?" asked Hondo as he set the rabbit down.
Kijani stared at the rabbit before turning to his brother.
"After you," he said.
Haidar sad nothing but took a quick bite to let the others have their share. He was glad he was the first to take a bite because Kijani and Hondo launched themselves on the rabbit until there was nothing left. For a moment he watched the two eat before starting a new conversation.
"So are you telling the cubs a story today?" he asked.
"I plan to, they were playing with Layla and a leopard cub I have never seen before when I left so they must be enjoying the sunshine," said Kijani.
"Oh good, it's always nice to see them outside playing, I hope you don't mind if I join you to listen to the story later though?" asked Haidar.
"No not at all, I was panning on heading back now, you don't have any other plans do you?" asked Kijani.
Haidar only shook his head and followed Kijani and Hondo back to Pride Rock to find the cubs.
When they arrived, they found the four cubs with Layla and they were all arguing with the young leopard cub who stood his ground, trying his hardest not to cry. Jelani was standing in front of the girls and was the one jeering at the young leopard. Haidar let out an angry growl.
"Jelani! And all this time I thought you were better than that," said Haidar in a voice that Kijani had not heard before.
"Well he called me a runt," said Jelani.
"Yeah and he called us stuck up know-it-alls," said Asha.
"And he said I was a carcass licker," said Layla.
The leopard cub was about to speak when they all began to say different things at once. Haidar had never been through anything like this but had watched Azmera handle it. Being the father of one of them he knew he could speak back deeper and more commanding, enough to quiet them all down.
"One at a time!" he growled.
All six cubs stood there in silence, Haidar was only like this when he was annoyed and they knew it was best not to upset him further.
"Now I want to hear it from the leopard cubs side of the story, he looks truthful to me and not a trouble maker, what is your name son and tell me what happened," said Haidar.
"Cyrus s-s-sir, and t-they were p-p-p-p-picking on me b-b-b-because I-I sssstutter w-when I am n-n-nervous," said the little leopard.
Haidar then turned to the cubs who all looked down on the ground, their ears pinned back and their tails between their legs.
"And I thought you kids were better than that especially you Jelani, I thought I raised you better," said Haidar.
Jelani said nothing but only looked up at his father with sad eyes, he had never been in this kind of trouble before and he really did not know how to talk back.
"If you all want to stay friends, I would suggest you all apologize to Cyrus for treating him unfairly, he cannot help it if he has a small handicap, it's the way he was born, everyone is different. And Jelani we are going to have a talk about fairness when you become king," said Haidar.
"Yes father," said Jelani with a dejected look.
"Now apologize," said Haidar.
Jelani stared at Cyrus for a moment. Cyrus only stared back letting some tears fall down his face, he had been treated this way before but today was one of those days when his emotions finally got to him.
"I'm sorry," said Jelani.
"Yeah we all are, we didn't know it would hurt you that much," said Kali for the other two girls.
"Yeah I remember I did that to my brother once and my mother grounded me for a week," said Layla.
"Apology accepted," said Cyrus with a nod.
"Very good, now you all behave or I will send grandpa Kovu after you," said Haidar.
The cubs only chuckled at the statement until Kijani moved forward.
"You know because of what just happened I think now is a good time to tell you a story a young sheep who had the exact same problem like Cyrus only it was much worse," said Kijani.
"Sheep, what's a sheep?" asked Zuri.
"Well…..hmmmm……I guess you can say it's about the size of a Thompson's gazelle only fluffier and all white," said Kijani.
All six cubs tried to picture what a sheep would look like and all of them got a different idea which really looked quite silly.
"Now Cyrus you can listen too if you want," said Kijani.
"I do sir, I have heard of you and I have wanted to hear your tales," said Cyrus.
Kijani smiled, he liked Cyrus's attitude, he was a little like Jelani only shyer and a bit nervous, he hoped the little guy would visit more often. Finally Kijani began to start his tale.
Now this story happened about two thousand years ago, just to the east of Africa during what many believe to be the cold season but it might have also been during the middle of summer, no one knows for sure they just know it happened and that is good enough for them.
The shepherds lived just outside of the city where the story happened since sheep do not belong in a city, its way too crowded.
Daren was one of those sheep, well a young lamb who was six months old. He wasn't the youngest but he looked it. The shepherds were amazed he even survived his birth and they were amazed he could even walk. Poor Daren had a lame front hoof and because of that he always limped and was never really fast enough for the other lambs. What made it worse was that he also stuttered even when he was happy.
Because of his two handicaps, the young lambs were always laughing at him, calling him names and teasing him till he burst into tears. Usually he would run and hide until he stopped crying and return to his mother. He hated showing his mother that he had been crying because he worried he would get teased for that as well.
Now even though Daren was always picked on by the other lambs of the flock, he still showed compassion to them even if it was the lamb who picked on him the most.
It was one day when Daren was walking by himself when he heard one of the lambs he knew crying for help by a ravine. Daren ran over to investigate and found it to be Ori one of the lambs who was the biggest bully of them all.
"W-W-What's wrong O-O-Ori?" asked Daren.
"My hoof is stuck in this hole, can you please help me out," he said.
Daren limped over to help Ori out of his small predicament but as soon as he arrived, another lamb named Zaki charged him. Daren did not have time to move as Zaki hit him hard in the side, sending him falling down the side of the hill and into a big mud puddle.
All the lambs began to laugh as Daren slowly got out of the mud puddle, covered head to toe in mud. He looked up at the other lambs and gave them an angry stare.
"Can't y-y-y-you guys ever b-b-b-b-be nice t-t-to me?" asked Daren.
"C-C-Can't we be nice to him you guys?" mocked Ori who slid down and started kicking more mud into Daren's face.
"S-S-Stop it!" said Daren with a cry.
"What's that I couldn't hear you over the hissing snake," said Ori.
"Yeah you better watch out for the snake he might bite you," said Zaki.
Finally Daren had enough and stood on all four feet as tall as he could which was really quite a feet for someone as tiny as he was. And while both Ori and Zaki were laughing at him, Daren charged and hit Ori square in the chest. Ori let out a pained grunt as he went flying a few feet, landing heavily on a sharp bush.
"Hey why did you do that to my friend!" said Zaki angrily.
"B-B-Because he w-w-was making fun of m-m-m-me, and he d-d-deserved it," said Daren as he glared at Zaki.
That was when Ori quickly crawled out of the bushes and rammed Daren hard in the side again, sending the poor lamb back down on the ground and the wind knocked out of him.
"You think you can outwit me, you are so wrong," said Ori.
"W-W-Well l-l-l-leave me alone, I c-c-can't help it if I s-s-s-stutter, it was h-h-h-how I was b-b-b-born," said Daren as he tried to get up again.
"And yet I find it hilarious," said Zaki who then pushed poor Daren back into the grass before running as fast as he could with Ori behind him, leaving poor Daren sitting all alone caked in mud.
Daren then began to cry and quickly made his way over to a nearby bush, hoping no one would find him like this until he was feeling better.
But today was one of those days and the poor little lamb would not feel better, even when the sun started to set. His mother of course was very worried about him and started calling for him. He tried his best to hide but it's not easy doing so when you are caked in mud and are very fluffy.
"Daren what are you doing behind that bush?" asked his mother when she finally found him.
"N-N-N-Nothing," said Daren.
"Oh you must be up to something, you haven't come home yet," said his mother.
"T-T-That's because nobody l-l-l-likes me," said Daren.
"Oh and why is that?" asked his mother.
"B-B-B-Because I s-s-s-stutter and have this horrible l-l-l-limp," said Daren.
"And they don't like it that you are different?" asked his mother.
Daren only nodded and rubbed up against his mother's soft fluffy fur. She was the only one who could comfort him and was the only one who never saw any problems in him.
"It's okay sweetheart, I don't think anything is wrong with you, you'll grow out of it one day and when you do everyone will be amazed at how much you've changed," said his mother.
"Yeah but then t-t-t-they will f-f-f-find s-s-s-something else wrong with m-m-m-me," said Daren.
His mother only sighed as she led Daren back to the herd for a long nights rest. Together they slept separated from the herd because that was what Daren wanted. But Daren could not sleep that night, he only stared down at the herd staring at them with angry eyes and wishing the lambs would treat him more kindly. He let out a sigh and turned to the city that was less than a mile away. He would go there one day to be sold off to another shepherd and the place always fascinated him with the houses people lived in.
But this time as he stared at the city he noticed a large star from the heavens shining down upon one particular little hut. He had never noticed how bright the star was before and was completely mesmerized. Suddenly he heard a small cry from a human coming from that one hut. But why would a human be in there? That was the place where the traveling animals stayed; he knew that because he had watched them go in there for the night. He had to investigate further.
Quietly he limped down the hill toward the stable, he had never done this before without his mother but tonight seemed safe and he sensed that no harm would come of him as he made his way toward the little stable. As he got closer, the child's cries grew louder and continued as he finally arrived at the small stable.
He peered in and first saw two adult humans sitting nearby looking exhausted and not wanting to deal with the crying baby further. But where was the baby? He looked around until he saw it, making softer cries now and laying in an animal trough, one that was used for hay. The animals nearby were all watching the child too, they did not seem annoyed by his cries though, only curious.
"W-W-Why is he in h-h-h-here?" asked Daren as he walked past a Donkey.
"It has been a very crowded week in Bethlehem and my poor rider was expecting the child any day now, he was born yesterday night. And this is the first time he has cried, the parents have tried everything to make him stop but it won't work," said the donkey.
For some reason Daren was very curious about this child and wanted to see him up close, he had never seen one born so early and wondered if perhaps it needed a soft animal to touch and love.
Slowly Daren limped toward the manger until he was standing right in front of the child's face who still did not notice that Daren was there. Daren let out a quick "Baaaa" to get its attention.
At that moment, the child stopped and turned to Daren with curious blue eyes. Daren stared back and then put his head on the manger. The child then made a sweet giggle and touched Daren on the head. At that moment Daren felt a very warm calm feeling come over him as the child continued to pat him and coo over him.
"Wow why didn't I think of that?" asked the donkey.
Daren only smiled at the statement while he enjoyed the feeling of love with this new child. He didn't even care that the parents had shown up and were watching with great interest. If they wanted him to leave they would shoo him away but they were not going to try.
He stayed there for a few more minutes when he suddenly heard a familiar voice call out his name from outside. It was his mother who had awoken to find her son missing. Daren knew he had to calm her down so he quietly made his way to the entrance and peered out.
"Here I am mother," he bleated.
His mother turned to him and then ran over with a look of worry on her face.
"Why did you run away like that?" she asked.
"I heard that baby right there and I wanted to see why it was in this stable," said Daren.
As Daren talked, his mother grew wide eyed with amazement. Something was different about him.
"What did you find out about him?" asked his mother wanting to hear Daren say a whole sentence again.
"There was no room for the mother and she gave birth to him in here, that is why he is sleeping in the manger," said Daren.
"Daren! Did you notice that you are not stuttering?" asked his mother.
Daren let out a gasp of surprise and then walked toward the little child. He did not limp but he actually walked.
"How did this happen?" asked his mother.
"I don't know, I know I was stuttering and limping when I came in, you can even ask the donkey," said Daren.
"It's true he was, and then he put his head on the child's bed. Truthfully I think there is something special about that child, he cried before Daren arrived and then was perfectly silent once Daren put his head on the manger," said the donkey.
Daren's mother walked toward the child and looked down at him with a soft smile. "Thank you, whatever you did, I am very grateful," she said.
The baby then gave a coo as its little hands tried to reach out and touch Daren again. Daren understood and came forward to let the child touch him again. Daren felt so content as he stood there with his little friend.
"Daren, you are old enough, would you like to stay with the child?" asked his mother.
Daren looked at his mother and then at the child before moving forward and giving his mother and big nuzzle on her chest.
"I think he needs me mom, I can come back to the herd when the child is older or if he doesn't need me any more," said Daren.
"Then I wish you good luck for as long as you are gone, I will miss you but I know you are in a safe place, you have someone else who loves you and won't hurt your spirit," said his mother.
Daren only smiled as he watched his mother exit the stable and head back to the herd. After watching her for a moment, Daren gave a small sigh and for the first time in his young life he felt content. He then curled up next to the manger and slept for the rest of the night.
"So as you can see each person has something destined for them, it may be now or it may be in years to come, no matter what is wrong with them they are still special. Even if it's not in someone else's eyes, they are in another's," said Kijani.
"So how long did Daren stay with the child?" asked Layla.
"No one knows for sure, though they do think he lived with him until he died of old age, many years later. Others though think that the child sold him when he was twelve, believing he no longer needed him but I like to think it was the first idea," said Kijani.
"How did the child change him and what is his story?" asked Asha.
"I asked Rasul the same question and he knows very little about that human, in fact not many animals do. There was a time when there were quite a few who handed the story of what their ancestors saw what the human did but that was very long ago and stories do disappear and fade much like the changes in the scenery. He did say that he was very important to many humans; he says that they actually celebrate his birth and his death and what he did to Daren was just the first of many miracles that he performed. Truthfully I would not know why they would want to celebrate his death, if I had seen him perform miracles I would be greatly saddened, I would not want to celebrate that," said Kijani.
"Humans are an interesting species though," said Haidar.
Kijani nodded and looked down at his little group of listeners. The sun was still shining that day and he knew that they needed to play as much as they could before the next rains came. He would tell them another story later, for now he only wanted to watch them play. For each one had a special future in them and that was all that really mattered.
A/N: And there you go, I hope you all enjoyed that nice little story. I know it's a little fast but I have just been so busy lately I really wanted to write a Christmas story for you all when I had the little time I had. Again I am sorry for the lack of detail. I do hope to update this story once every two months, and share some more stories with you. And if any of you have any ideas for a good story let me know and I will try to write it out. Most of the names up there are Hebrew names save for Cyrus which is actually an Arab name and I thought it would be great for a leopard. They all don't really have a meaning, I just looked them up and I thought they were very nice. Well I hope you all have a Merry Christmas and a Wonderful New Year. And don't forget to review, I love reviews.