Living Like A Lion-The Year

Chapter 48-The Tailless and the Blind

48.The Tailless and the Blind

I walked out and laid on the big rock between the house and the barn. King soon caught up to me and we talked until Dr. Jason came to look at the new lions; so I followed him. When we reached the barn, Dr. Jason said, “You can talk now, James.”

“Thanks,” I replied as we reached the stall. “What happened to them?”

“They were in circus and the show went bad,” he answered sadly as he glanced at me.

“Oh,” I sobbed as he unlocked the first stall. “Will they be okay?”

“I don't know. Can you try to wake them?” he asked as he let me step into the stall.

“Do you know their names?” I asked as I padded to the female's head.

“This is the mighty Milly and the male is the terrible Tigger,” he answered as I laid down.

“I wonder if it is my Tigger,” I thought out loud.

“Your Tigger?” Dr. Jason asked confused.

“My grandson,” I replied quickly without looking at him; then I roared, “Milly, wake up. Wake up, Milly.”

“Huh? Who are you?” Milly asked as she opened her eyes weakly.

“James. Now where are you hurt?” I mewed as she sniffed me.

“My chest and legs; plus, I can't feel my tail,” she cried as she closed her eyes again.

“Dr. Jason, her chest and legs are injured, while she can't feel her tail,” I told very concerned and Dr. Jason seemed to be too.

“Go get John. I will need his assistance,” he commanded quickly.

I rushed off to the house and screamed as I got close, “John! John! Come quick!”

“What?” John yelled as he come through the door.

“Your brother needs your help!” I shouted as I ran back to the barn.

“Good, you got him,” cheered Dr. Jason, when we got inside. “Brother, you help me take Milly up. James, you try to wake Tigger,” he commanded before the brothers lifted Milly onto the rising platform and pulled her up.

I ran into the next stall and roared, “Tigger, wake up! Wake up, Tigger!”

“Uh? Is it time for the show again?” he asked without opening his eyes.

“No, but wake up. Where does it hurt?” I asked as I ran my paws over his body.

“No where,” he answered confused.

“Then what is wrong?” I inquired perplexed.

“I can't see,” he replied sadly.

“You need to open your eyes,” I hissed quickly.

“Oh? They aren't open? I'm so sorry; but I can't tell if they are open or not. Are they open now?” he grumbled as he turned his face towards my voice.

“Yes. What happened?” I questioned as he put his head back on his paws.

“All I know if that the canon went off earlier than usual,” he gloomily told.

“Have you always lived with the circus?” I asked curious.

“No. I used to live in a zoo with my mother and grandfather, but then my grandfather disappeared and the zoo closed,” he answered sadly. “Then I was sold.”

“What was your grandfather's name?” I asked, already knowing the answer.

“James. He had a big red mane and golden fur. I miss him,” he cried through his blind eyes.

“I have missed you too, but no more crying because you have found me again,” I cheered as I licked his fur.

“You are James, my grandfather?” he cried.

“Yes and my friends shall help you. I will go get them,” I told happily; then I carefully scaled the ladder. “John, that is my grandson down there,” I cried as I reached the top.

“James! How did you get up here?” John asked puzzled as he stared at me.

“I climbed the ladder,” I admitted, proud of myself.

“Please don't do that again. You could have fallen,” he warned as he turned back to Milly.

“Sorry John. Dr. Jason, my grandson is blind,” I told as I moved closer.

“How did it happen?” Dr. Jason asked as he worked on Milly's legs.

“He didn't know much, but he said that the canon went off earlier than usual,” I answered as I now reached the table where Milly laid.

“Ask Milly to see if she knows anymore,” John commanded as he let me reach her head.

“Milly, what happened at the circus?” I mewed as I placed both paws onto the table.

“The canon went off early and the big clown flew out with burning black stuff. The big clown hit me and the black stuff went into Tigger's eyes,” she cried as she slightly opened her eyes.

“Thank you Milly. Now relax,” I purred before I repeated it all to John.

“Wow,” he replied shocked.

“So what is wrong with her?” I asked sadly. I removed my paws from the table and laid down.

“Her tail is totally broken; so no blood is getting into it. Her legs are swollen and her chest terribly bruised,” Dr. Jason explained as he fooled with his sharp tools.

“Can you save her tail?” I asked as I stared at him.

“No, I believe the best option is to cut it off,” he replied as he picked up a knife.

“She won't have balance! And without balance, cats can't walk!” I yelled as I stared at Milly.

“True, but she can learn to have balance without it. If she keeps the tail, it could kill. I will do the operation in a few minutes, but now I want you to go down and find King. Put him in his stall; then go receive two boxes of food,” Dr. Jason commanded and John let me down with the rising platform.