Jack, an 11-year-old lion, recounts how he was separated from his herd and best friend Derek 8 years ago when hunters attacked. Jack was kidnapped and taken to a circus where he was mistreated and forced to perform dangerous tricks. After weeks of torture, Jack heard a familiar voice and was overjoyed to reunite with Derek. Derek convinced the circus head to release Jack and paid a large ransom, reuniting Jack with his family and herd in Congo. Jack is grateful to Derek for saving him from years of loneliness and pain.

1. It was 8 years ago, 8 years when a terrible day defined the rest of my life.I was 3 years
old. In Congo my family and I had spent most of our lives; we were taught how to hunt the
prey and ended up learning how to do it in order to, later, separate from the herd and live on
our own. Besides, we had formed a nice and trustworthy circle between the family and
friends, we were a herd in which we helped and took care of ourselves and of the others too.
I lived, mainly, in an isolated part of Congo with my mother, father , brother, a couple of
friends and the leader of the herd. However, Derek, an adolescent who usually travelled to
Congo, took care of me, we built a nice and special relationship. Actually, I spent all my
days with him and spent the whole day playing. I am Jack with 11 years old and this is
the story of my life.
When the herd came up, we could build a bond. All my family is quite wild, with great
skills at hunting and pretty self-confident when eating the prey. Therefore, I have admired
them since little. As regards Derek, he was 18 years old when we first met him. Derek is a
good natured guy experienced with animals, so we had always received a wonderful treat
coming from him. In fact I really liked him, besides from the fact he always took care of the
herd.
It was an ordinary day, one of many on which the bright rays of the sun woke up as very
early with the breeze caressing the pack of lions. As usual, we started the day with our
routine; go out for our prey, eat it and finally rest. As soon as we were getting ready, we
heard the noise of men screaming, vans and gunshots. We paralyzed for a while until we
understood what was going on; they would hunt us, took us to the city, it was very clear we
would stop being a wild animal after the arrival of men. Anyway, they came for another
purpose, similar but according to my experience, worst. I had heard about some stories
made up by the herd in order to respect the human, but also be able to attack if necessary.
They were useful in that situation, for instance, because now I was prepared for what may
happen.
Suddenly, a young but armed and strong boy approached the herd probably facing his fear
and attacking one of the most powerful lions we had. Immediately, the herd proved they took
cafe from the other lions and decided to attack. Firstly, they bit the man and finally tried to
kill the others. However, they were a lot and carried weapons, it was practically impossible.
In a blink of an eye, they shot us dards to sleep. Fortunately, the herd was strong which
made the darts useless. But I was just a baby, so I ended up kidnapped and taken who
knows where.
It was a day after the attack I woke up in a microscope, dark and spooky box. I was alone
and it seemed I was moving possibly on the vans carried by the hunters. Moreover, I was
frightened and paralyzed, with no idea where I was or where I was going, thinking about my
family. Especially, missing my friend Derek, ​with his good humor and tremendous joy.
Suddenly the men stopped the truck and began to coordinate our departure, I was pretty
sure there were more than an animal hunted. As soon as we arrived, one of them exclaimed,
“ bring the animals off the vans and lock them up in order to be taken to the circus”.In that
instance, the same juvenile well- built guy that had haunted me, yelled, “ yes sir but before
that it would be better to fed them , it has been a long day and it has been a long since I last
rested” Soon they would treat us as puppets in a circus, away from my pack and best friend.
A whole week had passed since we came here. However, it seemed to be a decade,
the days were boring and painful remembering my loved ones and assuming I would not see
them again. After a long time, I adapted to that creepy and miserable new life in which we

2. were trained and forced to do dangerous and insane stuff. It was really a torture, besides the
fact they shouted to one another, “put more pressure on them” since they wanted us to work
hard in order to apply the circus tricks. However, that was not the worst thing; missing Derek
was more painful than doing circus stuff, we had a great bond and his absence was killing
me. I was starving and thirsty, while the cruel same hateful guy not really care about us.
One good day, before performing at the circus, fortunately, I heard familiar voices
coming from the entrance. Suddenly, with a huge smile on his face, I realized it was Derek.
it was as if we had never been separated , our relationship was still intact after so many
years. Immediately, gather all my strength to achieve break the metal bar that was holding
me. By doing so, I ran to him and gave him a warm hug followed by loving greeting which
lasted a few minutes. After the long-awaited reunion, Derek went with the head of the circus
and mad he claimed, “ the lion you had been torturing at and separated us is my little Jack.
Some years ago you decided to take him away and unfortunately I wasn't there to avoid it.
However, once I had found the place where he was, I came back and won't leave without
him” He seemed so confident that anger the head, who answered shouting,” he stopped
being your lion long ago” . They continued for an hour until they finally agreed that I would
be taken home only if Derek paid him a big reward. He did so, which proved our bond and
ended up at Congo again. As soon as we arrived, I met with my family and friends. Derek
moved to Congo and our relationship improved a lot, we were together day and night. I can
not afford life to thank my best friend, with whom I shared my life for saving me from the
anguish and
pain of having been alone for years.