He was a nice male…. Atleast Yejide thought so. She thought she picked well! A fine specimen to sire her cubs. Nodding firmly in self satisfaction, the lioness licked at her forepaws. It had been a couple of days since the pair had coupled together and took to their separate ways. But Yejide was reluctant to return to her homeland… having a taste of freedom and choice was like having a bite out of a juicy zebra. It is cruel and unusual torment to allow her to suffer only a single taste. The female was beginning to lust for more. But she was never so daring. It wasn’t as if she NEVER intended to return to her pride… Yejide just didn’t want to for now. It was so much easier to be her own lioness. Worry only about herself. But it was difficult as well. If she was seeded by that male, it meant that she would have a brood of youngsters scurrying around. The lioness knew it would be difficult to care for them by herself. Thinking back to her own pride with sentimental thoughts, the lioness knew it would be difficult to rise her cubs there as well. With the mini sickness outbreak and the dry season… it only shows how strong her pride was. They persevered despite the troubles given to them. Yejide rolled onto her back, staring up at the clear blue sky above. With wide eyes she stared blankly ahead, allowing the stories in her mind to play out. Her mind had been so busied with the real world that the lioness hadn’t fretted over the fact that she had enjoyed her head stories for at least a few days. But this lioness was a simple one. Soon enough she would return to her pride and return to her normal traits. It was only when she is out of her element does her mind wander and she realizes that freedom and free thinking is enjoyable.
Lingering by the groove formed in the moist dirt she had been laying in, the lioness felt the heat in the air. She could see the quivering waves that caused the air to shake. It was so very hot and uncomfortable. The lioness pondered what it would take for a water god to allow the rains to return…. Or should she beg for the rain god’s forgiveness? All of these thoughts filled her. Worries of her life and real world. The stories drifting away… the lioness didn’t care for that. Simpler times meant she had less to worry about. And all of these worries seemed to stem from the dry season. The dry season brought about the sickness and all of these newfound options put on the table. There was a balance of blessings and curses.
But Yejide wasn’t a selfish lioness. She wanted the betterment of all of those in her pride. Even if they weren’t blood related, the female cared deeply for those of in her life. Her pride were filled with strong individuals. They deserved to live!
…it was then that a the lioness had an idea spring upon her. Was this all just a test? A test to see the strength of perseverance in her pride? It all made sense. It seemed so strange that everything had been in such an upheaval. The pride’s members were being tested on their loyalty and beliefs. Yejide was so sure of herself she bristled up! Standing from her little resting spot, the lioness finally figured out what needed to be done. She needed to prove her worth and loyalty to the pride…
Glancing side to side momentarily, Yejide gathered up her wits about her. This newfound realization made her eager to return to the others. To spread the word of her belief. That this trying time would come to pass! They were just being tested. The members of the pride obviously had a strong name to maintain. Such a title shouldn’t be considered delicately. Glancing downwards at her still slender tummy, the lioness smiled gingerly to herself. Pondering the number of cubs she might sire. Or what they would look like. Healthy little ones… that’s all she wanted and deserved. Taking the familiar road back to her pride lands, the lioness remained in a even steady pace. From now until her cubs were birthed the lioness intended to be as unstressed and comfortable as possible.
With a sway to her step, the lioness ambled along. Humming a bit of a tune. Life was never so horrible in her eyes. But now that things were falling into their proper place, she couldn’t help but feel joyful. The cubs had been received, now all there was to worry about was the closest rain shower. Then all would be right. Nevermind the dryness to her throat or the barren lands around her. Life was only bleak for a short while before joy blossomed. It was only with times like these that the lioness could look forward to peace and serenity. Where she could be thankful for the rains and meat that accompanied it. Those thoughts returned Yijedi to the pride. The strong members who remained resourceful and so loving. They deserved the title they held. Moreso now than ever. Only being away from them did she realize her lonesomeness. She was never really alone. Not while with those of her pride. They were her extended family in a way. She was only adding onto it. As it should be. Change had come to the pride in the form of this dry season. And the change was a welcomed one.
The lioness then picked up her pace, an eagerness flaring as her eyes held a spark of excitement. There would be plenty to tell when she returned to her pride! What she once feared would be reluctance turned out to be wanton abandon. Yejide enjoyed her brief bout of freedom, but being with the ones she loves puts her far more at ease.
