The days had run in to one another but the violet lion hadn't paid much notice. What had once been a cub with his head in the clouds and an inability to think much for himself, was now an adult that was still as easily pushed over as any. It wasn't that the lion was inept. . . he just wasn't your typical male.
Mchumba refused to give up on capturing his mothers love. Even though he hardly saw her, even though he knew that his sister was still the favorite, that didn't mean that he couldn't hope. That was one thing the optimistic male harbored a lot of. Like being a male. . . . Though he'd tried willing his mane to stop growing as a cub, though he'd conjured a few fellow apes to help pluck it as an adolescence, and even managed to tear some of it out as a young adult that didn't stop the red mane from growing. What was worse, the gods seemed to mock his efforts by allowing the fur to grow thick and plush. . .
There was no hiding who he was, even if he wanted no part of it. It wasn't that he was upset with his gender because he felt particularly feminine. . no. . . he just knew that females were far better creature and much more self-sufficient and overall awesome. Being raised by his mother taught him that much. . . .
Ki was lucky. Mchumba would never admit it but he was ridiculously and insanely jealous of his sister. She lived a perfect life as far as he understood and all he could do was sit back and wait for what little attention might fall his way.
Today was no different. Though he lived in a huge pride, the cranberry furred lion felt strangely out of place. He hadn't made any strong attachments to any and often kept to his own council and daydreams. Yes, he was gentle and a little on the shy side when it came to strangers, but he avoided any and all females when possible. Not because he didn't like them. . . .he just didn't feel worthy in their presence.
He was just a male. . . And sometimes, the green eyed one found himself confused. Especially lately. Strangely enough some males were actually as headstrong as his mother! And strong, and rough and tumble. . . . and everything he wasn't. Males were supposed to be weak . . . strange to see so many blindly defiant.
But such was the way of things. Heaving a heavy sigh, the large lion flopped on to his belly with all the grace of an elephant falling. He'd never been known for his poise, and hard as he tried, he had yet to master the art. Enjoying the suns rays upon his back, the lion allowed his thoughts to roam and wander free. . . .
It was just another ordinary afternoon for the overlooked Mchumba.
