3. PLOT

[Draco]

Long ago on the continent of Nikkita, there lived three cats named Leeu, Jagluiperd and Gekolde. Leeu was fearless lion who used his brute strength to get whatever he wanted. Jagluiperd was a cheetah who used his speed and agility to catch his dinners but, he was often bullied out of most of his meals by Leeu. Gekolde was a leopard who used his cunning and stealth to remain hidden from dangers like hunters but, he often went hungry during the day because he only hunted at night. Surprisingly, the three lived together as friends even though Leeu tended to take whatever he wanted from them. They were distant friends because Gekolde tended to hide most of the time and Leeu was a bully but, they were friends nonetheless.

One day rainy day while Gekolde was hiding in a little cave and Jagluiperd was hiding under a tree and Leeu was hiding in the grass, it began to lightning. There were flashes of light brightening the dark purple sky. Gekolde stayed in his little cave for protection from the rain and flashes of light. Jagluiperd was frightened that his tree would be struck and catch on fire so, he ran for other forms of cover. Leeu was confident that his grass spot was perfect cover even though his back was drenched with rain. He was too stubborn to admit that he might have been wrong.

Jagluiperd was right, a strike of lightening did hit a tree and it caught on fire. It blazed for all three cats to see. Gekolde, left his cave to find the others and bring them to safety. This was the first act of bravery that he had shown in a long time but, he needed to safe his friends. He soon found Leeu but, he refused to move. Leeu was convinced that his way was right. Come Leeu. The grass will soon catch on fire and you will be burned with it. Gekolde pleaded with Leeu. Gekolde was the smartest but, Leeu would not listen. This place is the safest Gekolde. Leeu knew that what his friend had said was probably true but, he wouldn't risk the embarrassment or admitting that his choice was wrong. Gekolde left Leeu with a role in his eye to find Jagluiperd. He started to run because the fire was spreading and the grass was indeed catching on fire. There was black smoke everywhere and it filled the leopards lungs. He coughed and hacked while he ran to find the cheetah. His eyes burned with the smoke but, he saw his friend. He called out to him Jagluiperd!Jagluiperd! But, the cheetah didn't hear him. Jagluiperd was running as fast as he could to try to out run the fire. Gekolde knew that he had no chance of out running it. He thought about running back to his cave for safety but, his path was burning with fire. He cried out for help from someone, anyone. But, he got no reply. He knew that his and his friends death was inevitable. He lay down and covered his face with his paws. He coughed and coughed. He felt a heat around him and then nothing. It was all over.

All three cats suffered a similar death. Leeu died with the grass just as Gekolde said it would. Jagluiperd fell while he was running and couldn't even limp away from the fire. Gekolde died with his paws in front of his face.

The cats moved on to the afterlife and were made gods. Leeu was put in charge of all the lions of africa. Jagluiperd was put in charge of all the cheetahs and Gekolde was in charge of the leopards. All three cats were to look over the land and to guide their species and the individuals in the species to happiness and peace. The tree gods listen to prayers and watch over the lands. They do not control any particular individuals and they can only be contacted through prayer.

The land they once lived is now destroyed and it's repair is up to the remaining cats and the future generations to repair it. How will you survive with little food and little shelter? Will you actively try to repair the lands or will you wait and let the gods take care of it for you?