The Male Lion

     As fearsome and ferocious as he is, without his pride he doesn't eat. If he is fortunate to see 12 years it will be because of his ability to find his place in the pride, and maintain it. Once the cubs grow into young lions, the former leaders are ousted and scattered. The old lion gains cuts and scars as he hunts alone, without much success. He robs the weaker animals prey and scraps are now a main course. His teeth break and his strength withers...he will soon go the way of all things that hold breath. 
     Does he remember the former days? The battles and triumphs? The pride in which he once thrived? As I think about the lion and man's fascination with him, I wonder if we truly understand him. The stronger the pride, the stronger the lion. As fearsome and ferocious as he is, and with all of the rage he can muster, a lone lion will soon cease to roar.

            "Where now is the Lions' den, the place where they fed their young, where the lion and lioness went, and the cubs, with nothing to fear?"

Nahum 2:11