The Lion with Three Legs

Leo was a young lion who lived in the savanna with his pride. He was brave, strong, and adventurous. He loved to explore, hunt, and play with his friends.

One day, he was chasing a gazelle, when he stepped on a sharp thorn. The thorn pierced his right hind leg, and caused him a lot of pain. He limped back to his pride, and his mother licked his wound. She said, “Don’t worry, my son. It will heal soon. You are a lucky lion, and you have a bright future.”

Leo thanked his mother, and tried to be optimistic. He hoped that his leg would get better, and that he would be able to run again.

But his leg did not heal. It got infected, and it became swollen and red. Leo felt a fever, and he lost his appetite. He became weak, and he could not walk. He stayed in his den, and he felt miserable.

His father came to see him, and he said, “I’m sorry, my son. Your leg is too damaged. We have to amputate it. It is the only way to save your life.”

Leo was shocked, and he said, “No, father. Please don’t do that. I don’t want to lose my leg. I don’t want to be a cripple. I want to be a lion, and I want to live.”

His father said, “I understand, my son. But you have to be brave. You have to make a choice. You can keep your leg, and die. Or you can lose your leg, and survive. You are still a lion, and you still have a life.”

Leo thought for a while. He thought about his dreams, his hopes, his fears. He thought about his pride, his family, his friends. He thought about his leg, his pain, his survival.

He finally made up his mind. He said, “I choose to live, father. I choose to lose my leg, and survive. I trust you, father. Do what you have to do.”

His father nodded, and said, “You are a brave lion, my son. I’m proud of you.” He took a sharp knife, and cut off Leo’s leg. He bandaged the wound, and said, “You will be fine, my son. You will recover, and you will adapt. You will overcome, and you will thrive.”

Leo felt a sharp pain, and he cried out. He felt a loss, and he mourned. He lost his leg, and he lost a part of himself.

He recovered, and he adapted. He learned to walk, and he learned to balance. He learned to cope, and he learned to accept. He survived, and he thrived.