Lion Country: Part 3

By COLIN DANN, Illustrator NEIL REID

The sun rose higher. The lions narrowed their eyes slightly against the gathering glare.

'We can be ourselves here,' said Huru. 'Like the other animals. There's no pretence.'

Kimya took in her sister's words. She understood.

But she said, 'There may be little comfort, though. The heat is intense. When I first arrived I thought it would crush me.'

'There's plenty of shade,' Huru pointed out.

'And competition for it too,' Kimya said. 'It's not like our cage back there with its cool spots and water for us alone.'

'And its narrow, cruel confinement,' Huru reminded her.

'Here there seems limitless space. How we yearned for that.'

'Yes. You're right,' Kimya acknowledged. 'We belong here. Once we were reunited I felt the pull of this country just as you did. Its power couldn't be denied.'

'So many sounds . . .' Huru breathed. 'Calling to us . . . We were meant to be here and it's as though we're fulfilling our destiny.'

Publisher: Random House

Price: $16.95

Age group: 8-13 years