14/01/2024
THE LION.
Magnificent. Majestic. Beautifully dangerous, revered by man and beast. The lion is the ultimate epitome of success and survival. It is Darwinian theory of survival for the fittest in real and reel life— if documentaries are your reference.
From the day it is born, the battle to survive starts. He has to beat a staggering number of odds to make it to adulthood. Only 1 in 8 cubs make it. That is 12% survival rate. Translated to human life, that is a person on life support!
From injuries, starvation, infanticide, illness or death by a hyena, the lion has to surmount all these to earn his crown and respect. Death by fellow male lions who have taken over the pride is very common and it is the singular reason for annihilation of lion families.
By age three, when his mane starts to grow, the lion gets violently thrown out of the pride by none other than his father, no less! He now has to become a "man". Navigate the violent world while at the same time try to make sense of it.
This is the time that harsh reality starts to sink.. He has to learn how to hunt, live on his own, stave off other predators and encroachment by the ruthless humans.
Importantly...
He has to find a pride of his own, which means fighting a more powerful lion or lions. His mettle and worth is measured by how many heads on a spike he can collect. 9 out of 10 of those attempted take overs ends up in death. It is a warzone from then on, if he succeeds. A life spent looking over his shoulder for his a thousand ways to die.
Every single lion you have ever set your eyes on has passed through these NDEs (Near Death Experiences). It is a No Easy Day for Mufasa..
Battle scarred and successful, in his kingly ways, he finally takes his place at the throne. Well earned and deserved, he eats first and gets access to his harlem of mates. He can finally craft a future for his progeny..
For those with a heart and life of a lion, may success find you. Stand tall amongst the rubble of odds as you wake up to search for that little morsel that will ensure a future for your kin🙏
~ Memba Salim
