fortifications and buildings,” said my father. “Last week, we managed to revive a trap system the
Nomads used to use by replacing some rotted old wood. It would be unwise if Mr. Liang has any
ideas of sending out his henchmen out to us.” continued my father with a small chuckle at the end.
“Ever pondered why I have been very busy these days?” asked my father as he suddenly
stopped to gaze upon the star filled night sky of the desert.
“No, I don’t, do tell me please.” said I, finally finding some interest in my father’s words which
could be a key to my questions.
“To be honest, I have been preparing for the events of tomorrow, a day that every single
leopard shall remember,” started my father. “For years we have been mistreated as an object by
the humans in town, and we deserve the respect that should be bestowed on us.”
“What are you going to do?” asked I excitedly.
“Don’t tell this to anyone, Habib. Last week we found a weapon of mass destruction in the
desert areas around here.” spoke my father in a hushed tone. “Apparently, Breadtam our engineer
and his team found it sitting 200 miles east from this camp. It was supposed to be buried
underground, but probably because of the movement of the desert nowadays or some sort of desert
storm, half of it showed up on the surface of the sand.”
“How do you know it is a powerful weapon, Dad?”
“Look Habib, the thing is round; it looks metallic and has wires on it. What else could it be?”
replied my father, apparently getting a little fed up with my stupid questions.
I listened in astonishment as my father continued telling his story proudly.
“My friend Mujahid, from the land of Alibaba has sent me some suicide vests in different
colours and sizes for Christmas.” said my father excitedly. “They must look great on Breadtam who
would lead the operation tomorrow.”
“Wow!” I exclaimed, apparently astonished with what he has said.
“Now Habib, when I was a small cub like you, I would always go out with your grandparents
to hunt before they were killed by Liang and his evil minions,” spoke my father, scuffing to pause
at the end. “Well, um… so as to conclude, I have been very independent since a very small age,
and I want you to be like that too.” said my father, pausing again, listening to the swift sounds
of desert winds which together formed an interesting symphony “So, I want you to go with your
Uncle Breadtam tomorrow on his operation and return with his team once he has finished his little
business, ok?”
“Well… Of course I’m fine with that!” said I, unable to hide my excitement to have an
adventure outside the fences of the LLO compound.
“He..Soar…beela… see..yor” was the hymn that rang across the parade ground the very next
morning. Startled, I woke up and peeked out of my tent, it was still a bit dark, around dawn.
Scanning the area, the whole legion of our organization was standing out in the clearing, singing
as they gazed at the orange and black striped Tigger book they held in their paws. There were
identical expressions on everyone’s face, relaxed in a mediating way with their eyes closed. The
morning air was freezing, yet no one shivered or moved an inch. The white and black stripes of
every leopard formed an interesting combination contrasting the golden sand.
* * *
