p. 29 | A Grateful Lioness

S. D. A. Missionary Society · Oakland, California · Jan 10, 1884

FromThe Signs of the Times, Vol. 10, No. 2

A Grateful Lioness.

A PORTION of the crew of a vessel which was anchored off the coast of India once went ashore for the purpose of cutting some wood, and one of the sailors, having through some cause become separated from his companions, was considerably frightened by the appearance of a huge lioness which he saw approaching him. Much to his surprise, however, she did not on coming up appear to have any evil designs on him, but instead crouched at his feet, and looked steadfastly first at his face and then at a tree some little distance away. For a time the man could not understand this conduct; but presently, on the lioness rising and walking toward the tree, looking back at him as she went, he found out what it meant. Up in the branches of a tree was a large baboon with two little lion cubs in his arms, and it was because of this that the lioness was in such trouble. The difficulty now presented itself of how to save the cubs, for the sailor was afraid to climb the tree. So, having his ax with him, he resolved to cut down the tree; and this he did, the lioness watching him most anxiously during the whole time. When the tree fell, and the three animals with it, the lioness, it is said, dashed with fury upon the baboon and destroyed it; then having gently caressed her cubs for some time, she returned to the sailor, showed her gratitude by fawning upon him and rubbing her head fondly against him, and at length carried away her offspring one by one.—Harper's Young People.