The sun was scorching hot, blazing from a clear blue sky. If there was a breeze, it didn’t bring any relief to the heat. Most animals had tried to seek shade, but the fastest and biggest animals had had the best luck. Riverbeds were laid with crocodiles lying in the mud, waiting for the thirsty to come have a drink.

While the king enjoyed the slight relief that lying in the tree’s shade offered, his females were crouching in the tall, dry grass, sneaking closer to a herd of zebras. The pride had to be fed even in the heat. They had had terribly bad hunting luck for the past few days and now that zebras had wandered near them, this was the perfect opportunity since the prey was worn out from the heat. The downside of course was that there wouldn’t be much energy in the lionesses either. They would have one chance.

The group spotted a potential target: a young mare standing at the edge of the herd. Two lionesses headed to the right so they could block its way from the side while two other sneaked closer to the zebra. Their bodies tensed up as they sneaked closer, every move was slow and careful. Paws landed softly on the ground, their bodies moved smoothly, and all sense were sharp.

When they were close enough to the zebra, one of the two lionesses pounced towards it and the other one started running, trying to chase it towards their two sisters who were waiting nearby. The whole herd of zebras descended into chaos, but the lions were focused on their target.

Together the two lions drove the zebra to their sisters who jumped out of the grass. The zebra tried to dodge but one lioness managed to sink her claws on the backside of the zebra. The zebra screamed and kicked around but the lioness hung on, digging her sharp claws deeper to the prey so she wouldn’t lose her grip. The weight of the lion slowed down the zebra enough so that the other lionesses were able to catch up to it. They hungered for food and this zebra was a perfect catch.

With their claws out and teeth bared, they leaped towards the helpless animal…