The pup looked at Poppy. His nose and whiskers twitched. His injured paw curled beneath him and his mouth curved into a smile. She couldn’t believe it – the little one wasn’t even afraid.
‘I knew Dad would come to the rescue,’ he growled, his tail beating from side to side.
Poppy tilted her head. Had Harley injured his head as well as his paw? But then she looked at Cain.
Slowly, the pieces started to fall into place. She thought about the questions the dogs back at the kennels wanted answers to.
What did Cain look like? What was the big news concerning him? Why had the King of the Safari been acting so strange? Was there really a new face roaming around Cain’s enclosure?
Poppy looked from the lion to the pup and then realised – the big news affecting the park was that Cain was now a dad; Cain, the main attraction at the safari park, had a son.
The King of the Safari Park’s eyes softened. He purred and walked slowly back to Poppy, Harley swinging from his powerful jaws.
He gently laid Harley at Poppy’s feet. She watched in amazement as the mighty lion brushed his nose across Harley’s face. He purred softly and licked the pup’s ears.
But if Cain was Harley’s dad, then that would mean…Harley was not a cream retriever after all but a white lion! Now, Poppy was confused.
She swallowed back her fear and, looking up at Cain, she groaned,
‘Is Harley really your son?’
Cain nudged Harley’s injured paw with his nose, then licked it affectionately.
‘I fell over as I tried to run away from those dogs.’ Harley squeaked.
‘It’s just a sprain,’ Cain purred, then looked at Poppy. ‘I have been searching the park for him.’ The lion looked down at the little cub lying between his big white paws. Harley rolled on to his back and began swiping his dad’s mane.
‘But…’ Poppy needed to lie down.
She slid on to her stomach and sighed. She snorted and narrowed her eyes, looking from lion to cub. Now, as father and son lay beside each other, she could see a resemblance. Both were strikingly white with brilliant blue eyes. Their erect ears were covered in short fur, quite unlike the long silky hair that covered her own; and then there were their huge paws.
‘I don’t understand, Harley,’ Poppy whined. ‘You’ve heard me talk to the other animals about Cain. Why did you not say he was your dad?’
Harley stared at her and tilted his head. ‘Dad? Well, Dad’s name is Dad.’
Poppy didn’t know what to say to this. She looked at Cain.
Seeing the confusion on her face, he growled, ‘I think what he is trying to say is that he knows me as Dad, not Cain.’
Harley jumped up, forgetting his injured paw. He yelped and quickly lay back down, but the look of awe and wonder remained on his face. ‘You’re Cain? My dad is King of the Safari!’ He growled and purred and squeaked.
Poppy stood up. ‘So you’re not the Brutal Brutus?’ she groaned. She shook her head, relieved that perhaps the Brutal Brutus didn’t exist after all.
Cain looked at her and frowned. Harley stared up at her and tilted his head.
Poppy was still confused. ‘I thought you were a dog like me, Harley. I’ve been telling all the animals we are cream retrievers and not once have you said you are a lion cub.’
‘I thought you were a lion like me,’ Harley groaned. ‘I thought cream retriever was another name for a white lion.’
Poppy looked from Harley to Cain. Jack had never mentioned white lions before. Maybe, she thought, he didn’t know they existed. She imagined what his reaction would have been seeing them for the first time. She was fascinated and curious to know more about them.
‘I thought all lions were golden brown,’ she barked, then gulped nervously as the lion turned and stared at her.
‘Most are tawny but there are a few white lions, though not many,’ Cain growled. ‘It was not until two white lionesses were seen in a part of Africa called Timbavati that we were finally recognised as something other than a mythical creature.’
‘Mythical?’ Poppy tilted her head to one side.
‘Because there are so few of us, there were not many reported sightings. For ages, white lions were only heard of in very old African stories. There were even cave drawings of white lions from long, long ago. We were known as Children of the Sun God, and it was said that we came from the stars.’
‘Whoa!’ Harley purred. ‘Children of the Sun God? I like the sound of that.’
Cain stood up. He looked down at his son, and in that instant Poppy felt the magic that had fallen around them following Cain’s talk of a Sun God and the stars, lift.
‘You’ve had me and your mother worried, Harley.’
The little cub hung his head in shame. ‘I’m sorry, Dad. But you were angry. You told me to go away. I didn’t mean to get lost, just to keep out of your way for a bit.’ When he looked up at his dad, Poppy noticed his eyes now shone brightly. ‘But we did have an exciting time,’ he squeaked. ‘We made lots of friends; it was a great adventure…’
Suddenly, Cain stood up, opened his mouth and roared in the pup’s face. The sound terrified Poppy. She fell on to her stomach and whimpered. She saw Harley flinch and bow his head. Now she started to understand why her little furriend had run away.
‘An adventure!’ he roared again. ‘You are just three months old! A baby! You have only just been allowed outside. Did you not think about the worry you would cause me and your mother?’
Harley looked down at his paws. ‘I’m sorry, Dad; I will never wander off or go near your food again.’
Silence fell. Poppy held her breath. She dared not move. Cain stared at his son while Harley refused to look up. Gradually, she felt the tension lift. The expression on the lion’s face softened. He sighed, then bent down and gently nuzzled his cub. He purred softly and licked Harley’s ears.
‘I’m sorry too, Son. Your mother is right, I’m too quick-tempered and say things I do not mean. But if you had only waited, I’d have shared my food with you. You’re my one and only son, I’ll share everything I have with you. But, Harley, you must ask first, not help yourself.’
The young cub nodded but still refused to look up, even while his dad was licking behind his ears.
Cain pushed the cub softly with his nose. ‘I was cross, Harley,’ the King of the Safari purred. ‘I am sorry. I love you, Son.’
Hearing this, Harley looked up at his dad and buried his face into the lion’s mane.
Poppy whined softly. She couldn’t help it. Would her dad forgive her just like Cain and Harley had forgiven each other? She sighed, hoping that he would.
Chapter 20
Heading Back
Poppy sat watching Harley wriggling on his back, his paws swiping at Cain’s mane. Her gaze dropped and her ears twitched as she listened out for the savage pack of wild dogs. The sound of Cain’s growls disturbed her. When she looked up she found the lion was staring at her.
As though reading her thoughts, he growled, ‘Those dogs will not be back in a hurry. Luckily for me, they got into a big fight. It was so bad it took two of the park’s jeeps to come and break it up. I noticed the dogs had damaged the fence, so I managed to get through.’
He looked down at Harley then back at Poppy. He frowned. ‘Those dogs are fierce. You were both lucky I came along when I did.’
The little cub stood up carefully. ‘But, Dad,’ he said, ‘Poppy looked after me. If it hadn’t been for her those dogs would have…’
‘Yes, I know,’ Cain growled, interrupting Harley. ‘I saw how those wild dogs behaved and I shall deal with them later.’
Poppy trembled, seeing the angry expression on Cain’s face. But then his anger vanished as quickly as it had appeared. He stood up and stretched, swinging his tail, arching his back and yawning. Poppy stared. Her stomach flipped at b
eing so close to such a huge set of teeth.
‘We had better get back to your mother,’ Cain growled, ‘before the humans find the hole in the fence and realise we’re missing.’ He stepped towards his cub, then stopped and turned to Poppy.
She held her breath, seeing those piercing blue eyes staring down at her.
‘Poppy,’ he purred. ‘Thank you for looking after Harley. What you did showed great courage. If there is anything I can do to repay your kindness, please say.’
Poppy snorted. She was suddenly seized with panic. Were they going to leave her alone in the wild dogs’ enclosure? How would she fight off so many? Thoughts of her dear family filled her mind. She felt like crying, thinking that maybe she would never reach them. Maybe, instead, she would fall victim to the vicious pack of wild dogs. She whimpered, and then, seeing Harley look at her, she pretended to cough, hoping to disguise her fear.
The King of the Safari licked Harley’s injured paw, then picked him up by the scruff of his neck.
Poppy’s heart raced. What was she going to do? She didn’t want to be left here all alone!
As Cain turned and began to walk away, Harley glanced over his shoulder at Poppy. ‘Thank you for everything,’ he purred. ‘I hope you find your family soon.’
Cain stopped. He looked back at her then gently lowered Harley to the ground.
Poppy pulled her ears back, watching him walk towards her.
‘Are your family dogs or humans?’
Poppy looked up at him. She squinted against the brilliant sun which had escaped from behind a large cloud.
‘They are humans and they are visiting your safari park. I was left in a building…’ She stopped, seeing Cain shake his head.
‘It’s dangerous for pets to roam this park,’ he growled. ‘That’s why they have the kennels. It’s a place where you will be safe until your family return – and they will return, so there is no need to worry.’
Poppy remembered what her friends back at the kennels, Ruby the Irish setter and Jake, the park’s Dalmatian dog, had said. Maybe her family would come back for her. Maybe, like the rhinoceros crash, and Harley and Cain, her dad would also forgive her for making a mistake.
Ruby and Jake – what news she had to tell them! Then there was Rory the Alsatian. Rory the bully. Rory the bad-tempered. Rory the unfriendly. But now, thoughts of the Alsatian no longer worried her. She had more pressing concerns such as how she was going to find her way back.
Just then, Cain stepped closer. She could hear him purring, calm, steady and soft. She didn’t move, only pulled her ears back and hoped her unease didn’t show. Even though she knew he wasn’t angry, being so close to a lion and one as large as Cain made her feel uneasy.
‘I shall take you as far as I can,’ Cain purred.
‘Thank you.’ She sighed deeply then lifted her chin, looked at Harley and winked. She discovered that by appearing calm in front of him, she genuinely began to feel that way.
The King of the Safari turned back to Harley. He gently picked him up by the scruff of his neck and started walking down the road. Poppy walked beside them now, happy to be returning to the safety of the kennels, the place where she hoped her family would soon come back for her.
Chapter 21
End of the Road
As they walked towards the tall wire fence, Poppy’s nose twitched. The air was filled with an overpowering smell. It made her feel wary, uncomfortable and reluctant to venture any further. But then she noticed the hole in the fence. She could clearly see where Cain had made it bigger, clawing and tearing at the wire to enable him to get through. Then, she had a horrible thought.
She growled, ‘What if those dogs escaped through here?’
Cain shook his head, but since he was still carrying Harley by the scruff of his neck, he was unable to answer. He stopped in front of the hole and gently lowered his son to the ground.
‘I’ve left my mark around here,’ he growled. Then, as if to confirm this, he turned, lifted his tail and sprayed against the fence.
Instantly, the pungent odour was much stronger than it had been before.
‘My scent will keep them away. They know now that this is my territory.’
Cain pushed his nose under the loose wire and lifted it for Harley to scramble through. Once he was on the other side, Cain followed, then they both turned and waited for Poppy.
She glanced over her shoulder. The dogs were nowhere to be seen. Rocks, grass, bushes and trees stretched as far as she could see, the road was barely visible. But that was something else Poppy found unsettling. Where were the cars and wild dogs? Without any further hesitation, she clambered through the gap in the fence, glad to be leaving the eerily quiet enclosure behind.
They moved fast, passing a towering stone waterfall, wooden buildings, trees and thorny bushes. Cain didn’t linger. With Harley safely held within his jaws, he ran towards a tall gate where a few cars were coming to a stop.
Poppy kept up. She didn’t look around too much, despite her curiosity. With a quick glance, she noticed the road curved around the towering waterfall. Many cars had stopped around the bend in the road.
As Poppy ran, she had the uncomfortable feeling of being watched. She tried pushing this feeling aside, thinking over and over again that she would soon be back at the kennels. Well, she hoped she would soon be back at the kennels. She hoped the humans wouldn’t spot them. And she hoped that once back in her room, her family would soon return.
Cain stopped in the shade of a wooden building. Poppy tried to ignore the overpowering smell. It was as though Cain had sprayed every square inch of the place. Perhaps he had, she thought, so as to ensure no other animals followed.
He turned and gently lowered Harley to the ground, then waited for Poppy.
The gate was still closed. Cars pulled up, queuing for them to open. Their engines rumbled softly. Poppy sneezed against the harsh smell of exhaust fumes.
Cain stepped forward and, to Poppy’s astonishment, he bent his head and gently brushed his nose across hers. She felt his warm breath on her muzzle and the tickle of his whiskers.
‘This is where we say goodbye,’ he purred.
As he looked at her, she saw a glint in his eyes and the same mischievous twinkle that shone in Harley’s. He purred, then stepped back as Harley limped forward.
The cub stood looking up at her, his eyes open wide and shining. His little nose twitched, and Poppy was sure she heard him whimper. She felt her throat and chest tighten, seeing the sad expression on his face. Now, unable to hide her feelings and not even wanting to, she whined. Pulling back her ears, she leaned forward and licked Harley’s face. She nuzzled into his neck and snuffled his ears.
‘Now, be good,’ she whined. ‘And promise not to go wandering off again.’
Harley nodded, his eyes still fixed on her face. ‘I’m going to miss you,’ he said, his voice squeaking and warbling, reminding Poppy of the lambs in the fields surrounding her home.
‘I’ll miss you too,’ she whined, certain that her eyes were now shining like Harley’s, full of tears.
Suddenly, Harley jumped on to his hind legs and wrapped his front paws around her neck. She leaned into his hug, steadying him. She closed her eyes as he licked her mouth and pressed his cheek against her.
Meanwhile, Cain looked on. Poppy noticed he kept a respectful distance. She appreciated his kindness, knowing how sad it was for them to say goodbye.
The sound of a loud click startled them.
Cain looked up. ‘It’s time to go,’ he purred as the gates opened.
Just as Poppy turned to leave, Cain walked over to the fence and roared. The deep, loud sound made her pull her ears back. She glanced around the building and saw the humans in their cars, faces pressed against windows, trying to see. Fortunately, the three of them were safely hidden from the road.
Whe
n she turned back, she was shocked to see a small herd of zebras pressed against the other side of the fence. They all looked at Cain, concentrating on what he was telling them. When he turned away, all the zebras looked at her.
Cain growled softly as he walked towards her. ‘The zebras will meet you at the other side of the gate and take you back to the kennel.’
Poppy looked at Harley and smiled. He sat proudly watching his dad. The cub held his chin up and his chest out, mimicking the superior look on his dad’s face.
‘Thank you, Cain,’ Poppy growled.
The King of the Safari nodded. His mouth twitched and she was certain he was about to smile.
‘Thank you, Poppy,’ he purred, then bowed his head and turned away, picking Harley up as he went.
Chapter 22
A Familiar Face
As Poppy crept out of her hiding place behind the building, she felt uneasy. She couldn’t shake the feeling of being watched. Luckily, there were many thorny bushes dotted between her and the gate. Carefully, she crept from one bush to the next. The gates were open now, but the cars weren’t moving. Poppy peered around a bush, curious to know what was going on.
Cain walked slowly between the cars, Harley still held by the scruff of his neck, his paws swinging slowly with the motion of his dad’s steps. They walked towards the waterfall.
Now, Poppy looked at the waterfall properly. It was beautiful. She had never seen anything like it. A lion’s face was carved from the rock. The face looked just like Cain. From out of its open mouth poured water, glinting in the sunlight.
Poppy caught her breath. There, standing on top of the giant stone head, was a pure white lioness. She didn’t move. Now Poppy understood why she had felt someone was watching her. Somebody was; it was Harley’s mum. Then Poppy realised she was standing in the lions’ enclosure! Suddenly she heard another roar. Two lions raced over to Cain. Both looked younger and smaller. Whilst they greeted Cain and Harley, Poppy knew this was the time to make her move. With the gates still open and the humans distracted, she dared not waste any more time.
Poppy on Safari Page 9
