"Are you sure, Lilah? I know she's no bigger than a dog, but this is a lion we're talking about! One who was brought over from Africa by exotic animal smugglers. She was probably born in the wild."
"Of course, Paul. We'll only have her for a few weeks, until a suitable zoo can be located. Otherwise, she'll have to stay in that drafty old jail cell." replied the kindly older lady, as she looked at her overall clad husband, then the miniature lioness.
"Oh, what's the harm... As long as we keep her away from the chickens, I guess it should be alright." replied Paul, who didn't want to admit that he was just as excited as his wife about the new houseguest.
"I just hope Lilah doesn't get too attached. Even if we wanted to keep her and could set up a proper cage, regular citizens aren't allowed to have a lion." he thought grimly, already picturing the day that the cub would have to be packed into a kennel, and put on a plane.
"Come along, Gazania. We're going home now." said Lilah, as she hefted the purring cub into her arms.
"Oh no, she already has a name..." Paul thought bleakly.
Two days later:
"I can't believe how well she's getting along with the other animals! I tell you, Lilah... She snuck off while I was feeding the cows, and got in the chicken pen. When I finally found Gazania, she was lying in the middle of the pen, with old Georgette sitting on her head, trying to settle in to roost." said Paul, still incredulous.
"Well you should have watched her closer, Paul. We can't have lions hanging around with chickens, now can we?" She asked chuckling.
The next day, Gazania accompanied Paul out to the pasture to check on the sheep. She bounded through the tall grass, jumping much like the lambs themselves. When he was finished checking the ewes, Paul sat under a large apple tree, and took out his lunch.
As he ate, he watched Gazania play tag with the lambs, and a short while later, curl up next to one of the smallest.
"And the lion shall lay..." he marveled, not finishing the sentence.
Three weeks later:
"Hello, Sheriff Briarwood?" said Paul, a few seconds after picking up the phone. When she heard the name, Lilah put down the dust cloth, and prepared herself. Surely a place had been located for Gazania.
"I'm sorry Mr. Drusher, there's not one zoo or wildlife refuge looking for a lioness. Perhaps if you can keep her a while longer? At least if she's not getting too big yet. I'll do my best to find a place soon, even something temporary. But if it ever gets to the point where you feel unsafe, just let me know. We can always bring her in. I promise I'll stay with her until, you know... And it will be done humanely." said the sheriff, not wanting to say the words "put down" despite knowing that he was talking to a fifth generation farmer.
"We'll be happy to keep Gazania longer, Sheriff. She's tamer than most of the kittens we have around here. In fact, I saw her play with a mouse yesterday. It was climbing over her paws, and she even licked it. In fact, I was wondering if there might be a way to make the arrangement permanent?" Paul asked hopefully.
"Since you came into possession legally, and have enough property for a decent enclosure, I don't see why not. But are you sure? I could keep looking..." he offered.
"Lilah, what do you think about keeping Gazania?" he asked, and was rewarded with a very loud "YES!"and a hug that caused him to drop the phone.
"Okay, I get the point!" laughed Sheriff Briarwood.
Five years later:
A regal lioness sits atop a covered bridge, alert for danger. Below in the shade, a ewe and lamb take cover from the hot summer sun. Across from them, a farm cat waits patiently, in hopes that the field mice will forget his presence.
A goat trots toward them, crossing the bridge fearlessly. Gazania notes its presence without taking her eyes off of the horizon. There are foxes and coyotes in the woods. Woe to the predator who tries to use the Drusher farm as its hunting grounds!
Images used. Thanks so much to those who created them, you are awesome 🙌
Made Entirely In Canva Pro
