The Roarless Lion

    By lucas

    The Roarless Lion cover image

    27 Aug, 2023

    Once upon a time, in a vast savannah, lived a young lion named Leo. Unlike others, Leo couldn't roar. All the animals would giggle, "A lion who can't roar, how amusing!" Feeling isolated and misunderstood, Leo decided to seek help.

    Leo's journey led him to Old Lady, a wise turtle, east of the savannah. Leo expressed his problem and pleaded for her help. "You need to find your own roar, Leo. It's there inside you. You just need to have the courage to let it out," Old Lady said softly.

    Inspired, Leo journeyed further into the savannah where he met Momo, a chattering monkey. "Help you roar, I can!" Momo whooped. Momo taught Leo to yell. But Leo could only manage a small howl, not the majestic roar he wished for.

    Next, Leo met Grace, the swift gazelle. "Roaring requires speed, Leo!" She declared. Running as fast as he could, Leo still could only produce a tired whimper. Leo was starting to lose hope.

    Leo soon arrived at a towering tree and met an owl named Hoot. Hoot suggested, "To find your roar, Leo, you need to face your deepest fears." Leo reflected on this advice, suspecting his fear of being different was holding him back.

    Along his journey, he met Tantor, an elderly elephant. "Leo, embrace your uniqueness," he advised. "It is the heart of your roar." Tantor's words resonated with Leo. Perhaps his inability to roar was not a problem but a sign of uniqueness.

    Back at the heart of the savannah, Leo stood before his peers. Gathering his courage, he opened his mouth to roar. At first, the sound that came out was a weak squeak, prompting giggles, just as before.

    But Leo didn't falter. With the advice of the wise animals etched in his heart, he roared again. This time, the roar was so magnificent it echoed through the savannah, silencing the jungle.

    From that day forward, whenever Leo roared, it wasn't just a sound, but a testament of his courage and a reminder of his uniqueness. Leo's tale spread across the savannah, inspiring others to embrace their uniqueness as their strength.

    Leo found his roar and more importantly, he found his true self. No longer was he the lion who couldn't roar, but the lion with the mightiest roar. Leo wore his beautiful difference as a badge of honor and lived his days as a beacon of courage and acceptance.