Christmas Time: Story about lions!

Lions are a symbol of courage

He stood on the rim of a rock surveying the realms of his territory. He realises that he is the king of beasts. Mr Lion jumped down from the rock, stretched and yawned, and walked back to his pride. 

Mr Lion would tip the scale at about 500 pounds, measure some three feet high at the shoulder and ten feet long to the tip of his tail. His body, with short yellowish fur, and around his neck is a dark brown mane of long hair which make his is head look very big and shaggy. 

His tail ends in a tuft of fur; this tuft hides a nail or claw. 
 

Top: He is the King of Beasts! 
 

Mrs Lion weighs much less than her husband and grows not quite as big. She is a good mother and also protects her family. She prepares a nest in the bushes for her babies; she has about two to six at a time and cares for them until they get their first permanent teeth when they are a year old. 

The cubs are not fully grown until they are six. Why is the lion called the king of beasts? He is feared by other wild animals; because he is the biggest of all the cats. He may travel alone in the jungle or join a group – or pride -- of about six or seven others. 
 

The lionesses usually do their hunting and killing during the days while the King roams with the “boys”. 
 

Whether alone or together, lions follow animal herds; their favourites are zebras. In a final spring to make a kill, a lion may cover 200 metres at dazzling speeds. The lionesses in a pride usually do the hunting and killing, but all take part in the final feast; the lions share and share alike. 

Long ago lions lived in England, France and Germany. They were also found in other parts of Europe and Asia. Cave men made rock carvings of lions, and stories about them are told in Greek myths as well as in the Bible. 

Nowadays, lions are found only in Africa; but, in recent years, they have been taken to live in zoos and lion parks in several parts of the world. In Africa, where they roam, wild lions kill more humans than all other wild animals combined. 

Lions have long been a symbol of courage. In England, the fearless Crusade leader who would stop at nothing was called Richard the Lion-Heart. A distinguished or brave person, for instance, is sometimes referred to as “a lion among men.” 

<< By Frank Morris and Frank S. Greenop. 

30 facts about lions