Bored at home, I decided to take a time out to the zoo with my folks. Naturally, I love animals - they give me a glimpse of the beauty of nature.
I would spend time alone at the zoo with the animals in my former school and I missed them a lot since I relocated to Ibadan. I decided we would visit the zoological garden at my new school. I thought all zoological gardens would be the same - I never knew there was a load of history waiting for me at the museum of my newly discovered lone hangout zone.
This is a short story of a lion that was and is no more. His story caught my attention and I thought I should share it. His name was Arnold - he lived his life to the brim and was kept at the museum for his giant entertaining strides.
Meet Spectacular Arnold
Perhaps one of the most spectacular animals that were kept at the zoo. Arnold was the head of his pride and like any other pride leader, he never let down his guard. He always steals the show and got all the attention he could for his extraordinary physique and thick-dark neck hairs.
But everyone must give room for another to reign and for a lion, it has to be a stronger male. As years rolled by, Arnold became a weakling, but he maintained his superiority. However, there was one who revolted against his unending reign. There was one that was very much like him. It wasn't a lion, it was his daughter, a lioness.
Arnold's End
Isabella, she is called! Feared in all the pride for her ferocity. It was on a sunny day and Arnold would display his might at the expense of the pride. Arnold kept growling at and intimidating the pride, Isabella didn't like that. She revolted and decided to stand against her father. She was underrated for her feminity. She felt intimidated (I think and I could imagine). A restriction that soon led into a great battle between the duo. Surprisingly, it was too late for Arnold to realize that he was no match for his daughter. The strength of Isabella's jaw was like that of a grinding machine. Arnold's jaw couldn't do any damage. Isabella bit on and on until her jaw landed on Arnold's Jugular - he roared in pain, there was a sudden calmness in the atmosphere.
The rescue team was too late. No one dared to get between Isabella and her father. It was a war of attrition for Arnold. His legs were shaky beneath his body like that of a boxer who got a huge hit from his opponent. His pillar was gone. Arnold was dying and yes, he died.
The marks of the injury on Arnold's neck are there until this day and his mummy is being displayed at the UI museum.
As for Isabella, she was considered dangerous, unsubmissive, and aggressive. She now lives in isolation from the rest of the pride. This story was gathered from the museum and some witnesses to the event that occurred within the pride.
This, my folks, is another mystery I found on my outing and I decided to share.