The Great Journey to Refuge

The Preparation Part 2

After 5 minutes, I was already asleep and mom hadn't returned yet. She was watching us from the entrance of the cave, and when she saw that I was asleep, she went to the others...

Are they all asleep?-My dad asks worriedly.

Yes... Everyone is sleeping, now we have to be quick, it's very cold tonight.-She says hugging him.

Alright.-He says returning the hug.

After 2 minutes, everyone arrived, bringing their cubs to also put them in the cave for protection...

Well, now that we're all here, we can start.-My uncle Jawari says.

Yes... Well, as everyone knows, the prey is moving away from here... And we have cubs that need their mothers to feed... Taya is a great example of this, he's stressed because he's been hungry since this afternoon... We can't go on like this, it could cost their lives.-My dad says.

What are you trying to say?-My aunt Maha asks.

We should migrate again...-He says.

What?-My aunts ask.

Yes... Migrate, we have no other choice... These prey animals will come back in the rainy season!-He says.

We can't wait that long, if we can't stand it, how will the cubs manage?-Thando says.

Thando is right, they are the priority, and it is our duty to protect them.-My grandfather Mheetu says.

So it's decided. We'll migrate...-My grandfather Bahati says.

But it won't be safe to walk with the cubs yet...-My aunt Maha says.

It will be... We'll go at night, when most of the other predators are sleeping.-My dad says.

And the ones who are awake won't pose much of a threat.-Thando says.

So when do we start?-My aunt Nia asks.

In three days... During this time, only 3 lionesses will hunt. This way the cubs will be fed.-My dad says.

Meeting adjourned.-My uncle Jawari says.

After everyone picked up their cubs and returned, my mom came to me and my sisters, and gave each of us a kiss. Then she lay down, covering us so we wouldn't feel cold.

Morning came... I was excited to play with my sisters and cousins. But I was the only one awake... So I went to Thando, since my dad and the others were patrolling at this hour, he was the only one I had to play-fight with. But right as I was about to leave...

Where are you going, little guy?-My mom says, holding onto my tail.

To Thando...-I say.

Why?-She asks.

Well... It's just that... We hardly talk to each other, and he seems kind of lonely...-I say.

So you want to keep him company?-She asks.

Yes.-I say.

Then go ahead.-She says.

Alright...-I say, getting ready to leave.

After your bath.-She says, pulling me along.

Noooooo, I don't want to lose my natural smell, aaaaaaah!!!!!!-I say, being dragged.

Hahaha, you're a funny one, just don't make any noise to wake your sisters up.-She says, placing me in a corner in front of her.

Alright...-I say.

I stand there, staring at my sisters...

I guess it won't be that hard... Will she take much longer?-I think.