VoK Prompts

Write a story about an accessory the lion has found and why and how they decided to keep it with them. 500 word minimum
Word Count: 852/500
Reward: 1 Accessory 

One would think that as quiet as Ukwazi is, he would be looked over, invisible, but in fact the opposite was true. For some unfortunate reason, growing up he always found himself as the target of every prank, punch, snicker, and hurtful comment. This, of course, would only make him quieter and lonelier, and all the better victim for the bullying. The only time he could ever catch a break was when he slipped away during times when the pride was preoccupied, such as afternoon naps or fighting over food. When he did get away, he knew no one cared enough to come for him, so he could stay away for as long as he liked, normally until he got hungry or tired.

Once when Ukwazi was still fairly young, a terrible storm came through his pride. Their shelters were destroyed, and their supplies scattered to the winds. In the post-storm havoc, it was easy for Ukwazi to slip away since he couldn't do much to help. Soon he found himself wandering in an area of the nearby forest he had never been in before, struggling through the mess of foliage the storm had conjured up.

Before long he began hearing the faintest chirp, but it grew louder with every step. Although it was unlike anything Ukwazi had heard before, it struck him as a cry for help, and he broke into a run. Right when he began to wonder how much further away the now-loud chirp could be, he found his path blocked by a massive, newly fallen tree.

Swiveling his head, he decided that the chirping had to be coming from the mess of branches and without a second's hesitation, he dove into the mess.  For the first time, he was proud of his small stature as he wiggled between the branches. Eventually he stumbled upon a neatly woven nest, although busted, that he assumed was the source of the noise, and he carefully pulled it back into the daylight to examine closer. Indeed, the now-dilapidated mess appeared to be the former home of a family of Spotted Eagle Owls from what Ukwazi had observed during his wanderings.

Once he had carefully eased open the ball of twigs, his heart broke. Numerous baby birds lay still, their lives stolen in the storm. At the same moment, though, the frantic chirping stopped and a single head rose its eyes to meet his. Knowing what he had to do, he gently lifted the trembling baby and tucked him away in the minimal bit of mane he had along his back and slowly started towards home.

Lions weren't caretakers, especially for their prey, or at least that's what Ukwazi's father told him whenever he brought home injured animals which he was eventually forced to eat. This time, though, he was experienced and would not let that happen. When he came to the edge of the forest, he meticulously erected a makeshift nest under a bush where he rested the owlet, who had eventually stopped being afraid. He promised the baby he'd return, and raced home to get food. That night after everyone had gone to sleep, Ukwazi sneaked back to the bush and fed the bird what was left from his meal.

This is how it went for weeks, and soon the bird's dull grey feathers were replaced with stunning red ones to rival Ukwazi's own coat. Even now when the owl was old enough to fly and catch his own food, though, he was always waiting at the bush when Ukwazi came to visit. Despite Ukwazi's urging, he never flew away, vowing to always be there for Ukwazi as Ukwazi had been there for him.

Ukwazi took great joy in helping Umngani grow, and soon they developed a bond unlike any Ukwazi had ever had with another lion, hence Ukwazi's name for him, Umngani, or "friend." Ukwazi found that it was easy to talk to Umngani and vented all his problems to him, in return listening to Umngani's hoots. Over time, Ukwazi began to pick up on some of the meanings of the different hoots, and although he couldn't replicate the noises, he could soon easily understand the ideas Umngani was trying to convey.

Because of this, one can understand his surprise when Umngani responded to one of his particularly troublesome rants with the phrase "let's run away." Ukwazi was stunned, and refused the idea for many weeks. He was nearing adulthood and should be settling into a permanent position, but still, Umngani had a point. He could start over, find a new pride that would accept him. And, as Umngani promised, he would always have a friend. With someone always there for him, he could achieve anything. Umngani had already began to teach Ukwazi to speak up for himself, and this filled Ukwazi with a new confidence, the kind of confidence it takes to agree to begin an entirely new life. It was Umngani's turn to be surprised when Ukwazi told him he'd go, and just few days later with only a pack and pal, Ukwazi set off into the unknown.