There is a world somewhere between reality and fiction. Although ignored by many, it is very real and so are those living in it. This forum is about the natural world. Here, wild animals will be heard and respected. The forum offers a glimpse into an unknown world as well as a room with a view on the present and the future. Anyone able to speak on behalf of those living in the emerald forest and the deep blue sea is invited to join.
Breathing a little heavier due to the excessive walking, I walked until I reached the second lighted platform. The light displayed a large muscular male lion with a flowing, golden mane like that of a leader. His forelimbs were exceptionally sturdy and his pose suggested something akin to a universal emperor. The plaque below the bright, shiny light read:
"Notch"
Another very familar name. Notch was a lion that defied almost all human-made stereotypes of lions. Unlike many male lions, he took over an excessive number of prides, and those prides were no easy fight for him. He would come to his small lion coalition with fresh leg wounds and skin gashes on almost every inch of his feline body.
But over time, as everyone says, things may shift towards one's favor; that is what exactly happened to Notch and his coalition. Plenty of lion prides were routed out of their territories and Notch had a vast amount of territory to start a pride with. In the end, he had five sons, one of which is known as "Notch Two". He was like almost no other lion. Not many male lions can consistently rule out larger prides and not perish. Similarly, not many male lions are good fathers as Notch once was to his offspring.
Before vanishing from the human world, I received positive news for Notch's five sons and their accomplishments, and they were living their lives to the fullest extent.
Just like exceptionally-talented actors, academicians, doctors, or exceptional people of high-status careers, there was a similar trend in the animal kingdom. There was always that one animal, at least in the human world, that made humans look at nature in surprise instead of an everyday occurance or a idea for exploitation. These exceptional characters of the animal kingdom even surprised me as well!
