wistfully at Blizzard’s rapidly disappearing image. I wish I could see her grow up, catch her own
prey, have a family of her own… Blizzard faded into the distance.
Claw and the other leopards limped up the Steppes, and a pang of uncertainty gripped him.
Have I really made a good choice in bringing them here? All of a sudden, a shrill voice penetrated
his thoughts.
“Claw! My mother…” Blizzard’s horrified expression told him everything.
Claw’s body trembled violently. “No! This cannot be! Storm…” Claw knew it would be suicidal
if they turned back. Blizzard pleaded at him with her large sapphire eyes. “Please…” Blizzard looks
just like Storm… Suddenly, a surge of memories overwhelmed Claw. He remembered the days
at the oasis, playing with Storm; rolling in the sand, hunting ibex…they were more than mere
littermates. They were the best of friends.
She’s my sister! I have to save her! He turned around. “Let’s go.”
The two-legged creatures forced Storm into a wooden cage. Storm gazed around, trying to
catch a last glimpse of her cub. Oh, Blizzard…
Claw whispered to Blizzard, “I’ll distract the hunters. You go save Storm. Whatever happens,
don’t stop.” Blizzard nodded and ran towards the cage. Meanwhile, Claw pawed the ground
fiercely, and a white whirlwind erupted from the bare white ground, engulfing the hunters as if
the earth itself had come to life.
A hunter spotted a small leopard gnawing on the bars of the cage. Its thin body trembled,
and its limbs shook from the intense cold. It looked like it could fall at any moment, and blood
was trickling from the sides of its mouth. But a fiery determination burned in its eyes that even
the deepest chill could not overwhelm. The caged leopard smoothed its rough fur with its tongue
lovingly, but the small leopard was still very agitated. Were they mother and daughter? He was
overwhelmed by a sudden desire to return to his family; his home.
“Hey! What are you doing! You want to free the leopard? Give me the key right now!”
The hunter shook his head defiantly. “We already have enough food this year! Our families
no longer suffer from hunger! We can’t kill them just to satisfy our own greed! Let them go!” He
thrust the key into the lock.
Storm sprang out of the cage and ran away, with Blizzard and Claw supporting her. Blizzard
nudged Storm gently, her weariness gone and overwhelmed by joy. “It’s okay, mother. You’re safe
now! Let’s go explore our new home!” Storm smiled and replied, “I’m already home.” The leopards
ran off into the Siberian Steppes, and the rays of the rising sun warm against their backs.
The hunter smiled knowingly at them as warmth filled his heart. He was submerged in a reverie,
and he saw his children sitting around the fireplace, awaiting his return. It’s time to go home.
