The Wildebeest

The vultures circled the old wildebeest, huge in size but all of his former grandeur had left him months ago. Moving slowly in the unrelenting African heat his gait had caught their beady hungry eyes, they knew his time was soon. The vultures circled the old wildebeest.
The wildebeest had been the strongest of all when he was young, a mighty mound of muscle and tendon, a force none other in the herd could face. He had his pick of the females, Lions never dared test him for they knew they would meet their fate, he ate the sweetest of grasses and drank first from the watering hole. Life was good for the wildebeest. Then he grew older, the muscle and tendon remained but now a new strength bloomed, wisdom. He lead the new young wildebeest to the safest grasslands and taught them the ways of life on the plains. He did a good job too, the young wildebeest grew fast and strong and he was adored by all the herd. One of the younglings - brash and aggressive - tried to challenge the old wildebeest for his title as head of the herd, but he was still no match and took his defeat with dignity and grace.
As years went by though the old wildebeest began to feel the clawing fingers of time at his hide, his once powerful stride became slower, and longer journeys became more tiresome. The young wildebeest who had challenged him once before noticed this and decided it was he who should be head of the herd now. He was now as big as the old wildebeest,and full of youthful vigour he challenged him once more, this time becoming victorious and injuring the old wildebeest.
The new leader of the herd turned his back and walked towards the new grasslands, his herd in tow, leaving the past behind. The old wildebeest was defeated, his spirit broken, he had no desire to continue with his family and so set off across the plains by himself, injured and alone.
The vultures circled the old wildebeest, waiting for him to give in to the inevitable, to feed them so they may live on, so they may feed their chicks, so they may have more chicks. The hyenas would feast too and the flies and the insects. The old wildebeest being very wise knew this, he knew that his death would provide life to others and the world would continue, the circle of life would continue. His time had come, he stopped in the dust. With a snort from his nostrils he knelt, then slid onto his belly, then finally he lay on his side and closed his eyes for the last time. Peacefully he drifted.
The vultures circled the old wildebeest.