How about a sandwich Mr. Lion?

1.30 pm. The sun was shining (because it wasn’t raining. Duh!). This day the family had decided to go for a game drive at the Nairobi National Park. It was Easter, the family were always out and about. They had stopped the car and their phones were clicking away at the brown cat resting in the shade (According to nature documentaries, most wild animals rest in the afternoon when the sun is hot, and hunt in the evening.)

Everyone was excited. Getting pictures of a lion in the wild is a very rare spectacle. Go and see if it is possible, then be happy you had the opportunity to see a lion in the wild. Better for you if there is a hunt and fresh meat is on the menu. This Easter there might have been better meat for the lion, one on two legs.

“I hope you guys are enjoying yourselves?” Asked the man of the house.

“Yes, dad. It is so great.” Picture the sarcasm of a 17 year old boy chatting with people online about the most boring day of his life. There was some party going down at the mall.

“Jacob, please leave your phone for a while and let us enjoy each other’s’ company.” Awww, mothers.

“Yes, mom.”

“Billy can you see the lion.”

“Yes mommy. I think it is hungry.” The 6 year old son.

“Sure it is, but it is resting now. It is too hot for it to hunt.”

“Can I take my sandwich to it?”

“No Billy, it is a wild animal and we should not go near wild animals.”

“Why mommy? I always thought you told me to share?”

“Yes, but with human beings. The lion will have its own share in the evening. For now, just let it rest. Okay?”

“Yes mom.”

A few seconds later there is a click on the door. Running off with a sandwich in his hand for the lion is a 6 year old boy.

There was panic in the car. It had taken some time for them to register what had just happened. Jacob had also jumped outside. The number of heroes was growing as the father followed. Leaving the mother screaming, helpless and alone. All the three men of her life were just meters away from becoming lunch.

In the National Park there are always rangers. They take it upon themselves to guard both man and beast from such conflicts and these trio of men were lucky enough that two of them had been tracking the lions. (The numbers of the majestic king of the jungle are dwindling, and they cannot necessarily walk around with it.)

The lion had stood up to greet lunch, which included an appetizer, the main course and dessert, when a shot rang in the air. It was scared and decided to run the opposite direction. It was a lone male and therefore could not rely on backup.

Jacob had caught up to Billy, the father had caught up to the sons, and the ranger were ensuring the lion had really ran away. The family congregated in the car and decided that the Easter celebrations would be best enjoyed at home.

Moral of the story: We are lunch to wild animals. Let us ensure that we give them their distance. Always remember the child lock. This is not based on a true story.