“Foolish female, we had a bargain, and you broke it. Now you must hand over all your next kill, or we will take matters into our own hands,” said the vulture.
“You’re despicable. How could you hurt a cub who has no control in the pride?” the lioness replied.
“Flesh is flesh and young flesh is soft and tender,” the bird said.
The vultures threatened the lion cubs to get the females to give them half of the kill. This was no problem, but the summer wind had come early, causing the herd animals to move on.
“We barely have enough now. If you take all the kill, the weak and old will die,” pleaded the lioness.
“So be it, more food for my kind,” cackled the vulture.
That night, the females discussed a plan to end the vulture’s reign of terror once and for all.
“Let this be the last one to die for the pride,” the lioness said as she selected her only son.
The next morning, the females had staked the cub in a clearing along with a small part of a recent kill.
“Young warrior, your sacrifice won’t be forgotten,” said the lioness.
The cub tried to be brave, but tears slipped out of the corner of its eyes as the adults went to their hiding spot.
“Foolish females. We will feast well this morning,” said the leader, who ended the cub’s life.
“Revenge,” screamed the lioness as she and the rest of the pride’s females descended upon the flock.
“Betrayed by a female,” cried the lead vulture.
The bird’s bodies were crushed by the lion’s powerful jaws, leaving only their leader alive.
“I will not kill you. I wish you long life so you may tell how a lowly female defeated you,” the lioness said, and then plucked out both its eyes.
“Wretched female, I will have my vengeance upon all you four-leggers,” cried the vulture.
The bird struggled to gain its footing as it flapped its wings and headed skyward.
“Tell them, tell them all, so we make an end of your foul existence on our grassland,” remarked the lioness.
The pride buried the cub. Atop its grave, they planted a Baobab tree, known for its extreme longevity.
“May your spirit live on until the sun no longer shines,” whispered the mother. Her child now slept deep within the savanna’s soil.
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