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Deep in the jungles of the plain, sheltered by dense foliage and tall trees, there was a pride. Having a strong connection with nature, these lions were able to live comfortably in the somewhat harsh area around them. Their hunters were adept at finding food, flushing prey out of their hiding spots in large numbers in order to feed the pride. Paths leading to crucial spots in the pride lands were cleared of branches and bushes and rocks, making travel easier. But what truly allowed the pride to survive was their protection against the diseases and poisons present in the jungle: The Ajani clan.
A prominent family of healer, the Ajani clan had served the pride as doctors and healers for generations. So extensive was their knowledge of the jungle’s plants and natural remedies that some believed they could talk to the very jungle itself. Without the Ajani clan, the pride members would surely perish within a year or two. But the family taught their young well, passing on their knowledge of remedies and herbs in order to keep the pride happy and healthy.
There came a time when the brother of the Ajani patriarch sired a small litter. With no mate for himself, the patriarch named the cubs as his heirs, and that one of them would day take over as head of the clan. The litter of three was named in part for their coats and in part for the future the parents hoped to them to have, as was tradition. The eldest, a large white female, was named Theluji’Ajani, Snow Leaf, for her stark white coat. The middle cub was Angavu’Ajani, Bright Leaf, because although his fur was dark, his mane and eyes promised to be as green and bright as any leaf. The youngest, the runt male of the litter, was dubbed Dogo’Ajani, Small Leaf.
As the cubs grew, the time came for them to be apprenticed to other members of the clan. Dogo’Ajani, too weak and scrawny to be anything above an average healer, remained with his father to learn. Theluji’Ajani was given to the patriarch’s wife for study, for the young female showed much promise in learning the ways of a mid-wife. And so the patriarch took Angavu’Ajani was his own apprentice, a sign of the adolescent’s potential future of leadership.
Angavu’Ajani learned quickly, easily memorizing and identifying the plants of their trade and the recipes needed for remedies. The young male showed so much promise and skill that the patriarch decided to have him start practicing on actual patients early. Instead of waiting until he reached adulthood, Angavu’Ajani started helping his mentor with real treatments.
For the most part, all went well. The young male made a few mistakes here and there, but this was expected. He worked well under pressure and kept his cool. Confident now that he would be the new leader of the clan, the patriarch decided to have Angavu’Ajani treat a patient sick with Bug-Fever, a terrible illness cause by the sting of a blood-sucking bug, on his own. The patriarch provided the male with the required herbs, and watch as his apprentice attempted to heal the lion. But something went wrong. The lion had a strange reaction after being given the remedy, foaming at the mouth and seizing violently. After a few minutes, the lion died.
The Ajani clan had been disgraced. Never before in many generations had they lost a patient. Members of his own family began calling him a different name, Usiku’Ajani, for he was now a stain on the Ajani name, a dark omen that could not be allowed to practice again. The patriarch agreed, punishing him by forcing the male to work alongside the slaves. Where once he was at the top of the pride, Usiku’Ajani was now at the bottom, moving logs and boulders from paths and clearing the way for other healers, his own relatives, when they went out to collect herbs.
Usiku’Ajani, once cheerful and full of life, became dull and subdued. His family no longer considered him one of their own. The pride members avoided him like the Bug-Fever he had failed to treat. The slaves he worked with taunted him relentlessly about his lost status. Everyday waking up was a living nightmare. The young male took to wandering about late at night, the only time he could do so without someone giving him a dirty look.
It was on one of his night walks that Usiku’Ajani learned the terrible truth. Without meaning to, he stumbled across his uncle, the patriarch, and the leader of the pride hidden behind some bushes. The young male overheard what had really happened to the lion Usiku’Ajani had accidentally killed. He was filled with horror as he listened to the two laugh about their success, how easy it was to have switched an herb out for another, resulting in a poison rather than a remedy, and how the king’s line was finally secure now that his illegitimate son was dead.
Usiku’Ajani reeled back, unable to believe that his uncle had used him as such. But the young male wasn’t careful where he stepped, and soon drew the attention of the Ajani patriarch and the King. The king ordered the patriarch to kill Usiku’Ajani, for they couldn’t let him live now that he knew the truth.
The young male ran, his uncle hot on his tail. But weeks of suffering the heavy labour that was required of the slaves had made Usiku’Ajani strong, stronger than his uncle. He easily outran the older lion, reaching the pride border and crossing over it without a glance backwards. When he finally stopped to catch his breath, Usiku’Ajani let himself look back at his former home. His uncle stood there, bright yellow eyes flashing in fury. His claws were out and unsheathed, a snarl written across his face. The warning wasn’t spoken, but it was clear all the same: If Usiku’Ajani ever returned, he would be killed.
The young male turned away, expecting to feel great despair and sadness. But instead, he felt relief. He had the chance to start over again, the chance for a whole new identity. His name though, his name he would keep. It would be a reminder of the past, a way to make sure he never forgot. But his name didn’t need to have the same awful connotation. No longer was he a dark leaf, an ill omen, a plague to be avoided. Now he was simply no more special than a leaf wandering about in the night, being pushed wherever the wind saw fit.