Leo the Lion

The story of how the jungle got its king

A long time ago, before the jungle had even grown baby teeth, the animals were living in a paradise. They lived, coordinated by an animal chosen every 4 years through an open election…yes the animals had invented democracy long before us. This was a land of beginnings where the rhinos had no horns and the trunks of the elephants were small and weak.

The only one in this paradise that was not getting enough votes was Leo. Leo was a special type of animal; he liked reading and trying to be funny. Also, he had a special way of walking; some animals made fun of him because sometimes he looked like a penguin. Last but not least he had no mane, cutting himself while shaving and looking goofy most of the times.

Leo, on the other hand had found the only thing that could save him from his condition, an animal called Lea, who decided at some point to share her life with him. Lea, sad that Leo was not getting noticed, decided to take matters into her own paws. She brought Leo to a mirror and said to him:

“Look Leo, here is the future manager of the animals. He just needs to show them what it takes, but they need to notice. Make them see you, make them unable to look away. I will be by your side no matter what happens”.  Leo looked in the mirror and realized that she could be right.

In the next weeks Leo trained like had never trained before, running in the morning and making sure he had a healthy fur. While all this was happening the hyenas were yelling:  “Leo..Leo you’re so brave, go away and never leave your cave”

The next animal election was at hand and everyone was talking about who was going to be their representative. At this contest the last ones that appeared were Leo and Lea, but compared to other events, this time something was different about them. Leo had a different attitude, the other animals being unable to claw exactly what had changed, but they didn’t bother, it was just Leo.

After the vote was done, and all the animals were enjoying their afternoon, a monkey called Red cheeks had the unfortunate idea of making fun of Leo. This was his chance and he would take advantage of it, do or die.

“Leo…I’m sure you’re going to win, like you always do…laughter all around. No..but really Leo you should  just give up and let us have a chance….other giggles from the animals” While this was going on Leo went in the middle of the stage, slowly and with a desire to show them who HE was. When he got to that point the other animals started fearing a bad omen. Leo had gotten bigger and his mane was covering his head. Some of them were scared.

After coughing 2 times, Leo let out the most ferocious roar anyone had ever heard in that paradise. His glistening teeth and dark mouth let out another roar that echoed throughout those listening. The third roar was the icing on the cake, they all were left speechless…speechless and frightened to the bone.

The only animal who didn’t have common sense was Leo’s old “friend” the hyena. She was laughing at him: ” You’re so loud without a meaning, eat my tail, Leo’s screaming”. In the next second Leo had cut the distance between him and the hyena, inches away from her with his claws sharpened. “My name from now one will be Lion, and you’d better not forget it”, sneered Leo. The other animals were not noticing the smell of pooh coming from the hyena, but neither was the hyena smelling the pooh coming from the other animals.

Leo turned away from the hyena and said: “From now on this land will be called Jungle, and I will be its king”.

Hours later, while in their home, Lion was looking in the mirror. Lea approached, and heard him say: “You know, the mane, the roar, the claws, will fade away. But how much of a Lion you made out of me will never disappear. Thank you my Lioness”