Young Boy Verses Mountain Lion

There is an ancient tale about a young boy who grew up in a forest with his mother and sister. Their father had been killed while trying to protect them from a bear attack.

They had managed to get away but inevitably, their father had died protecting them. While grateful, they almost wish they had also died for life was very tough now.

They had been banished from their village many moons ago for the others did not approve of their love for each other.

They didn't really understand it but it really came from a place of jealousy. Another man had tried to claim their mother but she choose their father instead.

Their love was stronger than their need for staying in the village and so they chose to leave. Their father was strong and fit. He was a good hunter and protected them from many animal attacks.

However, now he was gone and they were on their own. Even if they wanted to go back to the village, they would probably never find it again.

They were struggling to find food and it was dangerous at night. They made their way further up the mountain where it was colder but safer.

They found a cave where they built a large fire to keep safe and warm. They were very surprised to wake up one morning and find an old man standing in front of their cave.

He was the oldest man they had ever seen in their lives. The young boy went up to him and asked him what he wanted. The man indicated that he wanted food and water.

While they did not have much themselves, it was their custom to always share their food, water and shelter with others who were in need.

And so, despite their meagre rations, they gave what they could to him. The man was very grateful.

The old man told the family that their reward for their kind generosity was to teach the young boy how to hunt and do many other useful things.

The little family was skeptical that this old man could teach them anything. After all, he could barely feed himself.

But the man explained that he had much knowledge but now his body was old, he could not physically do what he used to.

The man taught the boy how and where to set traps to catch rabbits and other small animals. He taught him to trap and kill bigger animals.

One day, the boy was out hunting with the old man. They saw a mountain lion that was very hungry. It was limping along as it had hurt its front paw. She had three young cubs following her.

The young boy was getting ready to fight and kill the lion which would give them much food. But the old man stopped him.

He explained the importance of this female and her young cubs. He explained that by helping her, they would get much more out of the experience than simply trying to kill her for food.

There was no guarantee that they would win the fight anyway. They sat still together as the lioness approached them.

She was growling at them and the young boy was fearful but the old man told him to show no fear. Show only kindness and love.

They had caught a rabbit earlier in the day and now the old man told the boy to offer this to the lioness.

He was concerned at first because he would have no food to bring back to his mother and sister but the old man insisted.

The lioness was grateful and her and her cubs finished off the rabbit very quickly. They drank the water proffered to them as well.

The old man explained that in the natural world, when you act out of kindness and love then they will be repaid tenfold in the future.

The lioness and her cubs followed them back to their cave. The human family would all go hungry tonight and while the boy's mother was furious at first, she did understand.

And so they all slept together. Despite the rabbit meal the night before, the lioness was still weak the next morning. She didn't have much milk for her cubs.

The young boy was now renewed with purpose as he headed off by himself to find food for all of them. Sure enough, he seemed to catch more food than he had ever down.

He remembered that by acting out of love and kindness, that nature and the universe would provide for them. He took back all the food to his little family and they all ate well.

They felt much safer with a lion in their cave for although she was injured, she was still very dangerous and other animals would think twice before attacking them.

Especially now, as there were more of them. The lioness and her cubs stayed with them for a few weeks. They boy went out every day and brought back enough food to feed all of them.

He was becoming a very skilled hunter. All of them thrived and got stronger. The lioness's injury healed and her cubs grew bigger and stronger very quickly.

One morning, they woke up and the lioness and her cubs had gone. They were sad for a moment for they missed them but they were grateful for the experience and the lesson that they had been taught.

The old man had taught the young boy to always be grateful when an animal gives up its life for them to feed and thrive.

It is the way of nature and the ecosystem. Always act out of kindness and love and always be grateful.