One dark night, the air was still, the villagers slept soundly, despite the ferocious animals that roamed the forest, no one in the village seemed to show any sign of fear. Everything was quiet, it was the third night of our seven night vacation at a remote African village. I looked at my watch, it was already 2:30am and I still couldn't sleep.
Suddenly, I heard a loud roar outside the house. Soon after I heard heavy footsteps, clumsily crawling around the village, my heart raced, I wanted to just scream at the top of my lungs, but I couldn't as I was paralyzed with fear. When I finally regained control of my body, I tried to get up and run out of the house, but before I could even get up, I felt a firm hand against my shoulder, pulling me back. I turned around to see our indigenous tour guide putting his index finger on his lips, signaling me to stay quiet. Out of fear I obeyed. I slowed myself down, then slowly crept to the window, I peered out and saw five lionesses circling the village. When I saw that, I felt the color drain from my face. Out of nowhere, my parents appeared, relived at the sight of them, I asked my father what the lions are doing. My father whispered,“I suppose they didn't get a very good catch today, so I guess they came here looking for leftovers or just some meat...”. When I heard that, a chill went up my spine, I felt my hair stand on ends, not daring to move. My mother suggested that we just stay calm and wait for them to leave, then get to sleep. Judging from her facial expressions and her suggestion, I can see that she was also filled with fear. That was the longest night of my life, more than twice a lioness almost came into the house, but they were not so driven by hunger to risk their lives just to get some meat. Soon, but not soon enough, the lionesses left the village. But even after that, I dared not shut my eyes.
The next morning I awoke, surprised that I even slept, and even more surprised about what happened last night. Hoping it was a dream, I ran to my parents room, when I saw how my parents looked at me, I knew at once what happened last night was real.
Suddenly, I heard a loud roar outside the house. Soon after I heard heavy footsteps, clumsily crawling around the village, my heart raced, I wanted to just scream at the top of my lungs, but I couldn't as I was paralyzed with fear. When I finally regained control of my body, I tried to get up and run out of the house, but before I could even get up, I felt a firm hand against my shoulder, pulling me back. I turned around to see our indigenous tour guide putting his index finger on his lips, signaling me to stay quiet. Out of fear I obeyed. I slowed myself down, then slowly crept to the window, I peered out and saw five lionesses circling the village. When I saw that, I felt the color drain from my face. Out of nowhere, my parents appeared, relived at the sight of them, I asked my father what the lions are doing. My father whispered,“I suppose they didn't get a very good catch today, so I guess they came here looking for leftovers or just some meat...”. When I heard that, a chill went up my spine, I felt my hair stand on ends, not daring to move. My mother suggested that we just stay calm and wait for them to leave, then get to sleep. Judging from her facial expressions and her suggestion, I can see that she was also filled with fear. That was the longest night of my life, more than twice a lioness almost came into the house, but they were not so driven by hunger to risk their lives just to get some meat. Soon, but not soon enough, the lionesses left the village. But even after that, I dared not shut my eyes.
The next morning I awoke, surprised that I even slept, and even more surprised about what happened last night. Hoping it was a dream, I ran to my parents room, when I saw how my parents looked at me, I knew at once what happened last night was real.
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