The watering hole was bone dry, the thirsty pride of lions was losing hope. For months a dreadful drought had been terrorizing the plains of Africa. At first the pride had no fear because Ruan, the leader of the pride was by their side. He was the bravest, most cunning and most feared lion on the plain.

However, Ruan’s firm but twinkling eyes seemed to dim, and they lost their sparkle. No-one dared to question him but Shessa, his wife and the bravest lioness in the pride, stepped forward and asked him the matter.

Ruan snapped out of his perpetual daydream and slowly explained that the tigers, mortal enemies of the lions, wanted all the rain to themselves. They will not listen to a compromise and in three weeks' time they have challenged me and any other lion to have a battle for the rain!

A chill went around the pride and Tig, (a cub) called out “who will you take?” Almost everyone knew that the obvious choice would be Shessa, but as if Ruan knew their thoughts he said, “I don’t know, I won’t take Shessa because if anything would happen to me, she will be the true leader of the pride.”

As the day of the battle drew closer, no-one volunteered to be Ruan’s second…until little True, just leaving behind his years as a cub, walked up to the leader’s council and said, “I volunteer!”

The pride went silent and True’s mother spoke out. After disappointment and hopeful discussions True was elected Ruan’s second. Ruan trained him, True conquered his fears and became more disciplined than ever before.

The long-awaited day arrived, True said goodbye to his family and Ruan said to Shessa “Take good care of the pride, our family.” Ruan and True climbed steep mountains  till they reached Red Valley. The tigers were already there. The battle began and Ruan displayed his mighty strength. And True fought like a warrior never once giving into fear.

Finally, the last tiger retreated, Ruan and True had won! Ruan looked into True’s black eyes. Not once during the battle had he seen fear flash across them. Ruan put his paw on True’s one and said “You are a great warrior, True. When Shessa and I are gone, promise me to stay strong and be brave for our pride, just like your father was, years ago. True nodded.

By the time they got home, the heavens had opened. A miracle had descended, and rain was falling. Seeing the smiles on the lion’s faces, Ruan knew his pride was in great hands or paws.