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Lion’s Flaming Headdress
HAVE YOU EVER noticed the flaming headdress in a Lion’s head? Did you ever wonder how he happened to come by it? According to hearsays, a tricky Rabbit cause it to happen.
Once upon a time, Rabbit and Lion lived in peace. Their diet consisted of eating fresh, sweet tanglad grasses. The two went out together to catch fishes and to flirt with butterflies. They loved to tickle makahiya’s timid leaves.
The towering height difference between the two seemed of no consequence. At times, Rabbit used his long and fluffy tail to clean the fangs of Lion. Sometimes, Rabbit rode atop Lion like a proud captain overseeing his ship. The two was inseparable.
“What is that you got there?” growled the Lion.
Rabbit closed his book with a snap, “Bought a new book from The Great One. Will be reading this at home.”
Rabbit had a nice little cot, just outside the forest.
“Such a nerd,” the Lion chuckled. “Do tell me what it says one of these days. That thing makes me dizzy.”
Rabbit laughed at him.
“You looked great together,” fluttered a nearby Buttterfly, girlishly.
Lion roared, preening his tresses in an attempt to look regal.
“Show off,” taunted Rabbit, his little blue eyes crinkling in merriment.
“Don’t know what you mean,” retorted Lion, but his chest positively stuck out.
Butterfly giggled, her pretty dainty wings catching the brightness of the sun. Giggling one more time, she flew daintily on top of the Lion’s yellow nose.
“Trrrueeee,” agreed Mosquito, buzzing in admiration. But to Rabbit he said in confidence, “Personally though, I think I would have a hard time approaching, zzzz, Lion.”
Rabbit looked at him in confusion.
“You know,” explained Mosquito, as if explaining the obvious, “He is, zzz, very frightening. Great, true. But very frightening. How’d you do it, dude?”
“No idea,” Rabbit replied, shrugging. He hiked the long body of the Lion, and like a trained acrobat, trailed the huge animal’s tail to land gracefully on the ground in one, suave move.
No one noticed it. Animals had only eyes for the Lion.
Rabbit felt a pinch of resentment. He knew that the Lion had a frightening growl. And to add insult to injury, he looked cool too. But Rabbit knew he was a tad smarter than the Lion.
If only Rabbit could expose his dear friend’s stupidity, oh so subtly, for all the world to see.
ONE DAY, RABBIT invited Lion to go camping. The Lion was so happy that he agreed immediately.
The two excitedly gathered firewood to start the fire. Lion was the first to snap a branch. One, two…crack. But he did not know how to start a fire.
“How do we start a fire again?” asked Lion, looking at Rabbit, scratching his head, looking so pathetic.
Rabbit showed him the move. His little adept hands patiently guided his big clumsy ones.
When the fire was at last roaring, the Lion sighed contentedly. He plopped down, grinning at the fierce fire warming his body. He grabbed the bag of marshmallows and opened it noisily.
“Hang on,” said Rabbit, “We promised to roast the marshmallows, remember? So much tastier and delicious that way.”
“Oh,” said the Lion, smiling sheepishly. He growled, “Sorry, I forgot.”
So the great Lion faced the fire and roasted the marshmallows, his face alight with anticipation.
Rabbit’s eyes narrowed dangerously. Suddenly, he was behind the Lion’s great behind. And the Rabbit pushed his huge frame into the fire.
Lion was very surprised. A great ring of fire immediately engulfed him.
Seeing his friend’s pain, Rabbit was overcome with remorse. In a great spurt of adrenaline, he pulled his friend’s head to safety, in an attempt to remedy the wrong.
Lion sputtered and stuttered out. Fire formed a great headdress at his head!
“I’m s-sorry,” Rabbit faltered, shame-faced.
With chest heaving, Lion faced his one-time friend. There was a great fire of anger in his eyes. His furs were bristling and his jaw was snapping.
“I thought you were my friend!” Lion spat in a voice choked with hatred and hurt.
Rabbit staggered backward, fear overcoming him. Lion was advancing, the flaming headdress was so intense he looked downright frightening.
So the Rabbit ran, ran so fast, away from the pursuing Lion.
FROM THEN ON, the Lion started hunting and chasing Rabbit. Rabbit had to rely on his wit and agility in order to avoid the Lion he had wronged. Lion’s flaming headdress was a constant reminder of his friend’s betrayal.
To this day, Butterfly and Mosquito never quite understood how the two had broken apart.
Published in ANI 39 (Cultural Center of the Philippines’ Literary Folio)
(c) 2016, Herbel Santiago
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