Once upon a time there lived a lion.
Strong, proud and powerful, he roamed, freely without a care in the world. None could harm him and his majestic power shone freely in his eyes. All the animals looked up to him and through fear and respect as he ruled his domain.
One day, a beautiful maiden stumbled lost in his domain. Seeking something to fill her heart, she got lost and wandered into his lair.
When she saw him, she screamed in fear and ran away.
Curious, he thought, but paid the strange creature no more attention.
The next day, his keen eyes noticed her looking at him in the distance.
His roar shook the earth itself and she ran in fright back into the shadows, and yet, each day, she kept coming back, and despite his nature, he took comfort in her presence and decided to let her be in his domain.
Many days passed and the lion grew to enjoy her company. Each day she'd get a little closer so that she could stare at him as he stalked through his kingdom.
Then one day she brought him a gift. A great meal of the finest meats the lion had ever seen.
The lion fought each day of it's life for everything and this small token brought it a sense of joy. He grew to like this creature and she reveled in his affection and attention.
The days grew to weeks and the two formed a bond. He would permit her stay in his kingdom and enjoy her affection and adoration and in turn he would hunt for her and protect her from anything that threatened her safety.
One day, she brought forth the best meal he had ever had and when done he slept lazily at her side. When she put a collar and chain onto him, he didn't flinch as the realization didn't set. Once it had, he roared and thrashed in fury and anger, but she looked into his eyes and pleaded.
"I just wish to keep you near me, I do not want you to be angry. Look, I will feed you and we shall be together always. Do I not treat you well?"
This was true. She had fed him and cared for him. She gave him comfort that he did not know he ever lacked. While his savage heart reeled at his submission, he knew that his time is not forever and eventually it'll pass. Age and sickness will take him. Maybe it's best to have someone care and assist him.
He did not complain and for awhile things were good.
One day, he heard a sound and looked up from his bed. There stool the maiden and her friends. The eyes of each filled with awe before him. They had come at her request to see this beast that stalks nature. "So strong and proud," they said. They too were seeking something missing and from envy wanted to see themselves.
Emboldened by the chain around him, they threaded onto his domain and disturbed his peace.
He roared in righteous fury and they fled.
The maiden was not pleased and for many days she did not come to bring him food. He sat there chained to his bed and grew angry at her actions, but that anger turned to hunger, and so, when she came again, he was filled with submission.
"You have scared my friends and they now fear you. Come, I shall file your teeth and remove your claws and show them that you will not be mean."
This troubled the lion but she looked into his eyes and pleaded.
"Have I not been kind to you? I have I not brought you food? I do not ask for much so please give me this. You have no need for claws and teeth as I will keep you fed and take care of you."
This was true and while it troubled him, the lion submitted and allowed her to file his teeth and clip his claws.
The weeks turned into months. Without running and hunting, the strength started to ebb away. Without his freedom the lion's pride and majesty eroded. It's claws and teeth removed, the other animals contempt and indifference brought the lion to despair. It spent it's days waiting, staring at it's chains, hoping for the comfort of the maiden. Eager to hear her stories of the outside world and to enjoy the comfort of her company, for none else kept his company.
When she came, her eyes were sullen and she brought him food but there was no mirth or comfort to the action. It was more of duty then of joy. That night she did not stay.
Days passed and her time with him decreased until one day she came to him with no food and no smile.
"I do not feel like I had before," she said with little remorse in her voice.
"You are fat and lazy. The pride and joy that I had enjoyed is no longer there. My friends now mock me for all the time that I waste coming to you and I do not feel safe and secure."
She removed his shackles.
"You are free to go. I have moved on."
With those words, she walked away from the lion never to return.
A great sadness took him and for many days and nights he lay there hoping for her to return but she never came back.
She would never come back.
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