The Lion Legend

Chapter 1: Written By Leah Kozak (12 year old aspiring writer)

Chapter 1

The sun showed down through the leaves of the baobab tree, and the lion pride stretched their giant paws. Kioney, the pride leader, let out a huge roar making the little cubs scared; Hiba and Zarabi hushed the little ones as many other males let out roars from their giant mouths. Soon they would be on their way to the Mara River, the coolest river in the dry season. All the animals headed to the Mara River every dry season. And today was the day that the lion pride would start the long journey to the Mara River; while Zuba and Dimbo were playing “pinned,” the mothers went out to hunt the meal.

“I hope it’s antelope!” Said, Zuba.

Zuba loved Antelope more than anything in the world, even more than his brother, Dimbo. And his sister, Sarafina. He was super crazy about Antelope 100%. Dimbo and Sarafina think zebra is way better, and Zuba thinks they're CRAZY! But Sarafina and Dimbio know that Zuba is crazy. This could go on forever! These three cubs are the children of Kioney and Zarabi, the pride leaders. Kind of like a ‘king,’ the pride leader makes all the big decisions. In this pride were two males, seven lionesses, and eight cubs (including Kioney’s and Zarabi’s cubs).

Soon the lionesses came back from hunting. Nearby antelope were running wildly around the plains, “I think it’s antelope,” said Zuba, Zuba’s friend. Zimba laughed at him Zuba gave him a look and then ‘roared.’

“That’s really little,” Zimba said between laughs.

Zuba gives him one more look and then runs over to Zarabi, his mom,

“Hi Mom, what’s for dinner..er….breakfast?” Zuba said between breaths.

Zarabi laughs, “Your favorite dear,” she said.

Zuba started jumping over and over all around the delicious and freshly hunted antelope “Yummy,” he said. Soon Zarabi picks him up with her teeth and sets him by Kioney, who grabs him in his giant lion paws.

“Come here, son,” said Kioney hugging his son.

“Dad! You know I don’t like it when you call me son!” Yelled Zuba. “I’m just playing,” Kioney said.

Zuba smiled a big playful smile. “Who’s hungry!” Yelled Hiba. All the cubs come running, especially Zuba, who jumped off his father's back and ran around all the other cubs.

“Oops, sorry, yeah!…delicious.”

Zuba pounced on Sarafina.

“Told you it would be antelope,” he said puffing his chest like Kioney would do when he did something amazingly cool.

“Yeah, right; you always think it’s gonna be antelope, and mom always gets some because you're the youngest!” Sarafina said, rolling her eyes with a teenage look(even though they were only one).

“Yeah, it was probably the only thing around, silly,” Zuba protested. Sarafina huffed and went on eating with Dimbo and Zuba, along with everyone else. But Zuba was not all that hungry. He watched his father count the pride and then let out a roar. Zuba tried to roar along, but Zimba was right. It was just little. He sighed and responded to the pride calls his father was making, and then the pride was off and on to the Mara River, happy and full. And thoughtful Zuba went with his pride.