Abandoned Cubs Part 2 by Eva Janus

 

The twins looked at the approaching male. He was huge (compared to them)!
He looked strong and tough, yet in his eyes, they sensed kindness. He
came beside them and drank.

"What are two little cubs doing out here, away from their pride?" said
the male, casually.

Mwoga gulped.

"Our mother abandoned us...." said Katu Takiwa, sadly.

The male lifted his head and a look of pity was upon his face.

"Oh, that^Òs terrible!" he exclaimed. "Are you both out here, all by
yourselves?"

Mwoga nodded.

"Would you like to walk with me?" the male asked. "I live by myself and I
wouldn^Òt mind watching you two."

The twins looked at each other and smiled.

"Sure!" they cried for joy.

The male smiled.

"My name^Òs Mwangalifu (observant); what are your names?"

"I^Òm Katu Takiwa, and this is my brother, Mwoga."

"Who gave you such unfitting names?" said Mwangalifu in surprise.

"Some stupid cubs of some dumb pride." said Mwoga, remembering the pride.

Mwangalifu smiled and the trio began to walk across the plain.

To the cubs, this Mwangalifu was a godsend. Mwoga smiled, that night, at
the stars. He and his sister were sleeping in Mwangalifu^Òs arms.

"Thank you!" he said in his heart. "Thank you for sending help when we
needed it!"

As he finished, one star twinkled brightly. Mwoga smiled even bigger
until sleep finally overtook him.

The next morning, Mwangalifu went hunting for breakfast. Mwoga sat under
a tree, next to his sister.

"I really like Mwangalifu," he said. "Do you?"

"Of course I do!" cried Katu Takiwa. "He helped us when we needed it and
better: he likes us!"

"I hope he never leaves."

"Why?"

"^ÑCause he^Òs my hero...."

Just then, Mwangalifu returned with a zebra. The cubs got first share,
then Mwangalifu ste the rest. The twins^Ò bellies were big and round now.
Mwangalifu laughed.

"You two sure can eat!"

Well," said Mwoga. "We never had anything to eat since two days ago! We
were starved!"

Several months had passed and Mwangalifu grew quite attached to the cubs,
as did the twins to him. The twins had even started to call him "Dad."
Mwangalifu didn^Òt mind, ^Ñcause he loved the cubs as if they were his
own.

One day, the trio was walking about, til they spotted a lioness coming
their way. Mwangalifu called to her and she greeted him. She looked at
the cubs (who had grown a lot bigger), then back to Mwangalifu.

"Can you help me?" she asked.

"What is the problem?"

"I^Òm looking for two small cubs... they^Òve been spotted in this area."

The twins recognized the voice almost instantly and turned away.

"I^Òve seen two little cubs around here about five months ago. Cubs grow
within that time span, ya know."

Neaira looked at the cubs and began to shed little tears.

"I^Òve finally found you!" she cried. "My precious babies!"

The twins backed up when she approached. They had terrified looks upon
their faces.

"What^Òs the matter?" asked Meaira. "I^Òm your mother, remember?

"We remember alright, don^Òt we Mwoga?" Katu Takiwa growled.

Yeah," replied Mwoga in the same tone. "How could I forget?"

Mwangalifu sat and watched. It was time for the cubs to face their mother
and deal with her.

"Why are you so angry at me?" asked Neaira, trying to act confused.

"Could it be because you abandoned us when we were only little cubs?"
glared Mwoga.

"Yeah, and left us alone, with no adult or food? Why don^Òt you think
about that?!"

"I left you because I wasn^Òt ready for the responsibility of caring for
you both. I thought that someone would find you and raise you."

"Perhaps you should^Òve thought of that BEFORE you got pregnant?" said
Katu Takiwa angrily.

"I^Òm sorry," said Neaira. "But you have to believe me! I^Òm ready now
for the task, I just need you two to come back to me."

The twins turned their heads and walked past Neaira, to Mwangalifu.

"You^Òve had your chance," said Mwangalifu. "And you blew it."

Neaira took a step forward, but stopped when Mwangalifu snarled at her.
She sat down, crying, as she watched her cubs walk away with Mwangalifu
into the distance.