My Discovery

“Don’t go too far!”

That was what Mom had told me, but I couldn’t resist the call of the forest surrounding our house. There were rumors that a mountain lion had been sighted around here, and I desperately hoped to catch a glimpse of it in our woods. That was why I was here, hiking further than I had before and exploring every thicket. I had been making a large map of our woods, so I had my sketchpad out and was seated precariously on the branch of a large oak tree, studying my surroundings closely.

I had just finished drawing the path I’d followed when I noticed a stream not far away to my right. I pulled my sketchpad back out and was about to mark it in at the very top of my page, when I noticed a black shape emerge from the trees on the opposite side and come toward the stream. My heart was beating rapidly as I slid down the tree as fast as I could and then ran quickly toward the stream, stuffing my sketchbook and pencil into my backpack as I ran. Soon the trees thinned ahead of me, and I slowed down and moved forward quietly. Soon I reached the stream and hid behind a tree. Slowly I peeked around it.

My heart nearly stopped. There she stood, drinking from the stream. A full-grown mountain lion. The, slowly, she raised her head and looked right at me. I had a sudden urge to step out from behind the tree but then thought better of it.

Slowly she turned and prowled back into the woods. I knew that this was my chance. It was a once in a lifetime opportunity. I took that chance and followed her.

She led me deeper into the forest, until suddenly she stopped and ducked into a thicket. I slipped silently  forward and peeked through the brambles. There she lay, curled up around two tiny lion cubs, and looking straight at me.  She winked! I sat down, smiling, and pulled out my sketchbook.