Since I was a kid, I have wanted to go to Africa to see the wild animals.
I read books about early explorers and watched too many National Geographic specials about lions, elephants, leopards, cheetahs, and rhinos.
I have also gone to zoos and seen all of these animals in person at one time or another.
The animals initially were enclosed in cages, but now zoos try (much to their credit) to give the animals and the people who visit a more realistic environment to the extent possible.
Nonetheless, the animals are still enclosed in a sort of a box. I think “what a poor creature trapped in that box unable to roam the earth carefree like me.”
However, nothing really prepares you for seeing these animals out in their natural surroundings.
They are roaming, playing, fighting, eating, but mostly. . . sleeping.
I am in my car. The window is down, About 10 feet away are lions or elephants. Lots of them. No bars or cages in between us this time.
We stare at one another.
I think “what a majestic animal.”
The Lion thinks, “what a poor creature trapped in that box unable to roam the earth carefree like me.”
She is also thinking, “Just stick your arm out of the car a little more and its lunch time.”
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