Free Ezra and the Lion Cub by W. L. Liberman Page A

am.”
“Well, it’s certainly not me,” muttered the donkey.

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    A group of monkeys gathered in the trees to watch the argument.
The lion cub sprang at Ezra.

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    Ezra and the lion cub wrestled on the ground. The monkeys were thrilled.
The donkey looked on. “Seems like a fair contest,” said the donkey.
“Two bananas on the cub,” said one of the monkeys.
“I’ll take that bet,” said the other monkey.
    Ezra and the lion cub continued to roll around.

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    Ezra and the lion cub kept wrestling.
The monkeys clapped.
The donkey became bored.

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    The monkeys were terrified. They forgot all about the bet.
The donkey was surprised.
Ezra and the cub stopped wrestling.
“What’s that?” asked Ezra.
“I could be wrong but…the queen of the forest?” mused the donkey. “Mama!” exclaimed the cub.

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    A fierce looking lioness bounded into view.
The monkeys scattered. The donkey hid.
The cub was delighted. Ezra was scared.

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    The lioness leapt into the air toward Ezra. He cringed in fear.
“What are you doing to my son, human?
You had better be careful about what you say,” said the Lioness.
“We were just playing,” Ezra stammered.
“That’s right, Mama,” said the lion cub.
“It was just play, that’s all.”

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    The Lioness was not convinced.
“Humans cannot be trusted my son. They are devious and cruel.
They say they are fond of us but then we are hunted and end up as trophies on a wall.”
“I’m not like that,” Ezra protested.
“So you say,” said the Lioness. “What are you doing here?
Why aren’t you with your family?” “I ran away,” Ezra said.
“You ran away and came to this dangerous place?”
“It isn’t dangerous for me,” Ezra said. “I like it here.”

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    â€œWhy did you run away?” asked the Lioness.
“So I could become king of the forest,” Ezra replied.
“But everyone knows the lion is the king of the forest, not humans,” said the Lioness.
“Yes, that is true,” Ezra admitted. “But perhaps it is time for a change?”
“You see, my son?” the Lioness said. “You see how devious the human is?
He wants to take our place.”
“That’s not what I meant…not really,” Ezra protested.

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    â€œYou must go home now,” the Lioness said. “Playtime is over.”
“I’m lost,” Ezra said. “I ran into the forest and don’t know how to find my way back.”
“Fine,” said the Lioness. “We will take you.”

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    The lion cub and Ezra rode on the Lioness’ back as she marched through the forest.
The Lioness walked for a very long time until they reached a clearing.
“It isn’t far now,” the Lioness said.

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    Ezra and the lion cub had fallen asleep.
Without warning, they were surrounded by a group of hunters.
“Run my son, run,” the Lioness shouted.

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    Ezra and the lion cub were groggy with sleep.
The lioness reared up on her hind legs and roared.
Ezra and the lion cub tumbled on to the ground.

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    â€œMama…no!” screamed the cub. The hunters raised their rifles.
Before they had the chance to shoot, Ezra leapt in front of the Lioness.
“Don’t shoot!” he yelled. “As king of the forest, I command you.”

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    The hunters were confused.
They hadn’t seen the young boy before and now he was blocking their view.
“Out of the way,” yelled the hunters.
“We must shoot. Now.”

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    â€œNo,” roared Ezra and spread his arms as wide as he could.
He began to back up with the Lioness and her cub shielded behind him.
The hunters advanced slowly keeping their weapons level.
“Stand back,” Ezra