Adele's Stories

My back stiffened against the tree and I held very still. The lion stood a few feet ahead of me, his eyes glued to mine. My broken foot throbbed and my heart pounded. Today would surely be the day I die. If only I hadn’t strayed off the trail. I didn’t even know there were lions in this wood. I didn’t even know there were lions in this part of the world.

The lion slowly began to make his way toward me. I braced myself for the worst. But the lion only laid down beside me and put his head in my lap. I froze. What is happening? What do I do? I didn’t move a muscle for fear of disturbing the lion and making him angry.

When the lion did not move for a long time, I let myself relax. Then after a while I fell asleep. When I woke the lion was sitting up watching me. Then he turned and walked away a few paces then turned to look back at me. He wanted me to follow him. Was this a good idea? Something told me yes. If he wanted to hurt me he would have already.

I stood and began to hobble towards him but before I reached him he turned back and came to walk beside me. I tentatively laid my hand on his back and when he didn’t react I let myself lean on him.

As we walked I felt the pain in my foot subside. Eventually the pain stopped altogether and I no longer needed to lean on the lion. We walked together silently for a ways until eventually I looked back at him he was gone. And when I took in my surroundings I realized I was back on the path, and my foot was no longer broken.