Yes, indeed they are not merely 'born free' as Joy Adamson's Elsa proved. They are born to rule the wild, both the wild, that is, the wild natural state and our wild imaginations. Lions are unique. They are special. They are majestic.
Their very look has a regality, even an innocence. They do not appear mean or shrewd or manipulative. Unlike a fox or a wolf or a hyena or a tiger, or nearer home, a cat, even when genetically they may belong to the (large) cat family! Instead, they seem loyal, genuine and caring.
Of course, that is because we see them from afar! Yet look at their "prides" ( a truly apt term!). Unlike tigers or cheetahs, they are very social. There is a clear division of labour. There is a strong bond. Not only cubs, but wounded and old lions are taken care of by the other members of the pride, it seems. The only other group that is so sensitive is the herd of elephants, well-known for their emotional intelligence and high I.Q.
May be, that is why, next to dogs, if there is any animal, especially of the wild variety, that is accepted as a pet, it is lions. Dubai sheikhs have such costly and rather dangerous, and quite cruel (remember, lions are 'born free'!) hobbies. Yet there are any number of YouTube videos, 'real' reels, that show the human-lion friendship, especially because the lion was taken care of in his 'cub' days!
Hence despite "The Lion King" which I adore, my favourite lion story continues to be "Androcles and the Lion". Androcles is a nobody, a mere slave. He helps a lion, the king of the forest, who is in trouble. He removes the thorn in the lion's paw, dresses the wound, takes care of him, and then goes his way. As he is a run-away slave, soon he gets caught, and the cruel punishment meted out to him is severe so as to make an example of him.
In the open arena of the gladiatorial ring, he is thrown in front of a very hungry lion who is fiercely roaring. The cage door is opened. The hungry lion lunges at him, and wonder of wonders, starts licking his feet. The public, who had come for entertainment, is amazed. Well, it is the same lion whom Androcles had helped!
This is after all Aesop's fable. Yet it appears plausible because lions, as I said, rule the wild, our imaginations included! Indeed there is a huge need to allow this king of the jungle to rule unfettered as he is a major link in the food chain,and thus truly necessary for the good of our species! Long live lions!.
Pratima@ On the occasion of the World Lion Day celebrated on August 10, let us just remember how the king of the jungle rules very many of our cultural icons, and most royally!
One item, hence, very high in my bucket list is holding a lion club in my arms!
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