In ancient times, there was confusion in the animal kingdom.  And each had one ultimate goal:  To be the king of the jungle.

One sultry afternoon, a forum was held at the peak of a mountain attended by millions of animals including all kinds; from the biggest to the tiniest, from the coolest to the scariest, and from the most tame to the wildest.

Among them, there were only four candidates who were chosen to run for the throne.  Georgie, the giraffe, who always held his head up high belittling everyone as he passed by.  Stephen, the snake, with his hard and shiny scales, had been orating his arrogant ‘hisses’.  Timmy, the tiger, who flaunted about his sharp teeth and claws all the time.  And Leonard, the lion, who felt insecure of his appearance, feeling a tinge of shame as to his bushy hair and lethargic facial expression.

The host of the forum, Morky, the monkey, who, while talking, had been leaping from one tree to another, announced that there would be a situational challenge for the candidates to show his best qualities.  And from there, whoever manifested loyalty, protection, and love for their beloved home would win over his adversaries.

One day, there was a group of trekkers who unruly trespassed the forest, and the animals became very anxious.

Georgie, once again, was overwhelmed by his blow-his-own-horn attitude.  He sneaked out his head above the foliage to frighten the trekkers.  But they just made fun of him and laughed at his messy lines and funny neck.  The giraffe suddenly was thrown in severe embarrassment and decided to hide himself in the trees.

Stephen had found pride with what happened to Georgie.  He coiled his tail on a firm branch and dangled his flat tiny head before the trekkers and whispered his traditional jingle.  Due to human impulses, one of the men who stood ahead of the others, ruthlessly shot the snake by his gun, horrifying the rest of the animals.

Timmy came out next to the rescue.  He jumped angrily in front of the trekkers, showing his prickly and razor-sharp teeth and claws.  But unfortunately like the snake, his life was made short by the men’s cruelty.

Leonard, who was the last and most humble, was blown into fiery anger and from where he was standing, made his very first cry of revenge.

The trekkers were speechless and frightened upon hearing the unusual sound they have ever heard.

Leonard cried angrily again, but this time, it was deeper and bigger growl that echoed to the entire forest, entrapping the storm inside it.

The trekkers shouted in fear and ran for their lives away from the horrible place.

The animals were very happy, shouting and cheering one another.  Morky came out and stepped onto a bigger rock so everyone could see him.  And with undescribable pride on his lips, in full voice, he formally proclaimed the first ever king of the jungle and protector of the animal kingdom.

And from then on, the jungle was headed and ruled by the lion as happily ever after.