Pride

It was another stinking hot day, with the sun bearing down on my shoulders, I had just finished lunch, after having taken the medical supplies to the hospital, and was looking forward to going home and having a nice cold shower.1

I walked the seemingly long distance from the hospital to The Rycuda, the first plane I had ever flown.2

Slightly exhausted and breathing heavily I stopped when I smelt the awful stench that met my nose. It smelled as though something had died and was decomposing close by. I looked around and noticed nothing, until my eyes focused on the shady area under The Rycuda’s wing. Lying lazily in the shade was a small pride of lions.3

They seemed unaware of my presence, though I was completely aware of theirs, so I took advantage of that walking around to the other side of The Rycuda.4

By this time I was close enough to the pride that I was nearly going to cough up my lunch, the stench was that bad.5

I headed towards the door of The Rycuda but stopped when I noticed a large male lion prowling in front of it. He stopped and looked at me. I froze, my heart pounding in my chest, as I slowly turned back towards the hospital. The lion followed me a few strides out into the sun, then turned back to comfort of the shade.6

I made it back to the hospital and asked if anyone would help me get passed the pride. The local people looked at me as though I was insane and they began to whisper amongst themselves and shake their heads. I realised no one was going to help.7

I crossed my fingers and went back to The Rycuda, hoping that the pride had moved on to another part of the land.8

Arriving back at The Rycuda I let out a sigh, they were still lounging in the shade, though the large male was amongst the rest of the pride. I watched them curiously as I began to make my way around to the other side. The male watched me also as I moved, his golden brown eyes following every move I made. I made it towards the door and opened it slowly, that is when the large male jumped and ran towards me, his teeth bared and his eyes focused. I quickly jumped into the seat and slammed the door, my heart having nearly leaped out my chest. I turned on the engine and the pride of lions ran in the opposite direction as I took off towards home, where a cold shower was still calling my name. 9