Christmas Eve in the Pridelands was almost through,
not a creature was stirring, not even Zazu.

The zebra-skin stockings were hung by the promontory with care,
In hopes that wonderful gifts soon would be there.

The cubs were all sleeping, snug on the rock ledge,
while visions of *venison* danced in their heads.

Sarabi and I, covered with a wildebeest sheet,
had settled our heads for our long Christmas sleep.

When out by the waterhole there was such a clatter,
I stumbled out of my bed to check out the matter.

Baring my teeth and unsheathing my claws,
I loped down to tear apart the cause....

Of this disturbance to my precious rest,
The cool night air filled me with a particular zest.

When what to my rumbling stomach should appear,
but a wooden cart and eight fat reindeer.

With a little old driver that was lively and quick.
I settled onto my haunches and gave my chops a lick.

Faster than hornbills the meaty morsels approached,
A big pawing snorting wonderful roast.

This one barbecued, the other one raw,
Thinking of the meal, saliva dripped from my maw.

Than in a second I heard on the roof of my lair,
the prancing and pawing of those drumsticks with hair.

As I unsheathed my claws and was turning around, 
Off the promontory Santa Clause fell with a great screaming sound.

Dressed from his head to his foot in red,
I nudged him with my paw, he appeared to be dead.

Contraptions of some weird rock were stuffed in a pack,
I took one out from his great bulging sack.

His eyes were closed his mouth was open in terror
On top of his face was a beard of white hair.

Remembering the fat reindeer and feeling my stomach rumble
I headed up to the promontory with a stumble.

There I glimpsed the pack of walking meat.
And after little struggle I commenced to eat....

My stomach filled and my appetite satisfied,
I went back to investigate the creature covered in a strange sort of hide.

As I sniffed his paws my tail brushed his face,
He lept up and filled the stockings with GREAT haste.

Then running out of the cavern with a little cry,
He got in his sled and took to the sky.

Into the night sky he flew,
With his eight reindeer......... minus two!

As I petted my stomach and remembered my meal with joy.
I heard the strange man say:  "Carnivores! OY! 




Merry Christmas Everyone! 

May you all get what you wish, be it a haunch of meat, the SP video, or a
juicy bug!

KITO
The Christmas Lioness