The Lion King: Makosa's Beginning

The Rescue

"What's wrong Rudo?" He asks.

"I smell Asha she's close. Come on!" I say, sprinting off.

Paki runs after me. I follow the scent to a large hole in the ground.

She must be down there...

I lean over careful not to fall down into the pit. "Asha?"

"W-Who's there?" A startle voice answers.

It's Asha! Oh thank god...

"Asha, your alive!" Paki beams. "How did you get down there?"

"I was chased by two hyenas. I didn't notice the large hole below and fell in. The hyenas probably thought I was no longer a use to them and would die in here. So they left me..."

I look around thinking of how I can get Asha up out of there.

Paki looks at me worried. "Rudo, what are we going to do?"

"Im going to go search for help. Paki you stay right here and watch your sister. I'll be back!"

I run in search quick to find something that will help pull Asha from out of the large pit. Up ahead I spot a herd of elephants. Maybe their long trunks could reach down and grab Asha. I walk up slowly trying not to alarm them. They are busy eating vegetation. One had stopped, noticing me there and stomp it's heavy foot with a frown.

"A lion?!"

"Wait, I'm not here to attack!"

The elephant began to charge at me. I gasp and took cover very fast. Elephants are big animals and could easily step on me while crushing a few bones in the process.

What was I thinking asking an elephant for help?

I hid myself between tall grasses. My fur blended in nicely to its color. The elephant can no longer see me due to poor eyesight. But it can still smell my scent. They have amazing sense of smell. I try rolling in the dirt.

"The scent is gone. I can't smell him anymore!" Said the elephant.

"It was a young one. He probably didn't know what he was doing clearly." Said a second. This one is a female.

The elephant that was chasing me eventually gave up and turned around returning back to his herd.

I wipe the sweat off my forehead. "Phew, that was too close!"

I stand up and scan my eyes around the wide open Savannah hoping to find something else that can help save Asha.

"That's it, giraffes!" I smile wide.

I found a lonesome giraffe eating green leaves from a tall tree. Her long neck is long enough to reach down Asha from the pit. Perfect!

I walk up to her calmly. "Excuse me miss, I need your help. It's an emergency!"

The giraffe snatched a few leaves from the tree branch and chewed. She soon swallowed and look down at me lowering her head to get a better view.

"Hmm, a young lion asking for help eh? What's the emergency??" She asks.

"My sister is stuck inside a large pit. I can't seem to get her out. You have a very long neck. Mind helping?"

The giraffe thinks for a few moments then nod her head. "Sure, but no funny business lion! I have strong back legs that are not afraid to kick."

I chuckle and turn around leading the way back to Paki and Asha. "I promise, there's no funny business."

"Alright..."

The giraffe unsurely follows behind me.   When we arrived at the pit, Paki cocked his head to the side seeing the giraffe.

"Oh Rudo, you're back!" Paki ran up to hug me. "I was beginning to worry since the sun is now setting. I see you've brought a giraffe. How is she going to help?"

"With her neck. It's should be long enough to reach down Asha and pull her out safely." I shortly explained. I look at the giraffe and nod my head.

She walks closer up to the pit and see Asha sitting down very afraid.

"W-Who are you?" Asha asks.

"My name is Almasi (Meaning: Diamond). I am here with your friend to get you out little one." Said the giraffe with a pleasant smile. "Now, I'm going to lower my neck and I want you to climb on my head. Okay?"

"Okay."

Almasi leaned carefully over the pit and lower down her 6-foot 1.8 meter neck.

"Be careful don't fall in too!" I told her.

"Trust me lion I got this!" She said. "That's it little one, climb on my head and grab on tight to my ossicones (horns)."

The giraffe raise up her head and stands fully straight with Asha finally safe out of the pit.

"Hurray!" Paki and I both cheer.

Almasi lower her head again to the ground for Asha to climb down. Asha runs straight over to her brother Paki hugging him.

"I thought I wasn't going to see you again." He said.

I look over to the giraffe and nodded. "Thank you Almasi for your help. My name is Rudo!"

"You are very welcome Rudo. Please tell me child, how are you related to jackals and you are a lion?" She asks. "What an odd family..."

I chuckle. "I was found by their mother. She took me in." I look down at Paki and Asha smiling. "I guess family is who ever loves, care, and never forget about you. We stick together as a team with an very strong bond."

"I see. That's very sweet..."

Almasi turns around and starts to walk away. I run to catch up by her side.

"Hey, where are you going?"

"Home where you should be going. It's getting late now. Predators come out more during the night."

"Not to be nosey, but don't giraffes have herds? I notice that you were alone when I've first met you."

Almasi looked up at the now late evening sky. "Young one, giraffes live in loose herds that can be composed of males and females of all ages. Our herds do not necessarily spend much time in close proximity, but will sometimes feed or drink together. I'm often anyways. I stay to myself..."

"Oh, well how about you meet my mother! I'm sure she wouldn't mind. You are the one who saved my sister, her daughter." I said.

"I'm sorry but I can't. I have other things to do."

"I understand. Thanks again, good night!"

Almasi gave me a half smile and nodded. "Good night."

She continue walking. I stopped and watch her until she was out of sight.

"Come on Paki and Asha, lets go home." I say, smiling down at them.

Asha hopped on my back with a giggle while Paki walked beside me.

What a crazy day...