THE LORD OF THE BOYS

Chapter 10 - LIONS, GIRAFFES, AND CHEETAHS

Back in the desert, Liam and Aaron were walking in the hot sun. Their bodies were sweaty, dirty, and smelly. Their mouths were dry and they longed for a drink and a rest from the heat. It was endless, unbearable. But they could not escape until one of them found the treasure and won the challenge.

Liam began to wonder, why was he so desperate to serve as the Lord's top slave. After all, he could just be a regular slave. The regular slaves didn't really do much, just standard worship. It was easier that way. But no. Liam had decided if he had to worship he would be the best. What was the point in being anything other than the best at what you do? Anyway, Aaron had had his time as the top slave, now it was Liam's turn

Liam found a Giraffe. The friendly docile Giraffe came to him and bent down, his long tongue licked Liam and they were friends at once. Maybe Liam was the Lord's chosen boy? Maybe the Lord sent the Giraffe to Liam so that Liam would win the contest

''Will you help me find the Lord's treasure?'' Liam asked the Giraffe

The Giraffe spoke ''Yes I will help you''

Liam was amazed, a talking Giraffe! How incredible was this? Now Liam just wanted to worship his Lord, even more, the Lord's talents knew no end, and he gave the Giraffe a voice!

They set off in the sun. The Giraffe did not mind the heat, he was a tower of power. Strong and brave. The most elegant creature, at all times stunning to look at with his tall neck and tall legs. He could see for miles around

And then the Lions came. An entire pride of Lions' Many  Lionesses and a few male lions. their manes are big and beautiful and majestic, a sign of their power, strength, and dominance. But the lions were hungry and wanted meat. They ran toward Liam and the Giraffe

Liam knew that nature had no mercy, nature was brutal and cruel. Now he felt like the helpless impala, the food for the hungry lions. 

And Aaron was there laughing and watching. He had sent the lions to eat Liam and the Giraffe!

''I tamed the Lions'' he said, taunting Liam ''I told them not to eat me, to eat you and the Giraffe instead''

And Liam turned to run but the Giraffe stayed still

''Come on we must run or they will eat us!'' Liam cried to the Giraffe

But the Giraffe did not run, instead, he called and called for someone

And then there were more Giraffes, all of them ready to fight the lions and they kicked the Lions and protected Liam. The giraffes were gifted with the most powerful kick. The lions ran away defeated and angry. Now the lions were angry with Aaron and they chased him and caught him. Liam covered his ears at the sound of Aaron's screams as the Lion's caught him and ate him alive 

Now Aaron had lost the contest, he had to return to the Lord in defeat. But Liam had not won yet as he still had to find the treasure. The Giraffes worked with Liam to find it. And to Liam's delight, some Cheetah came to help

''We can run faster than any other animal'' they told him ''The giraffes will find the treasure with their long necks to see and we will run across the desert on our speedy legs to get it for you'' 

And the Giraffe and Cheetah helped their friend Liam and found the treasure and Liam won the contest. And to all their delight there was a water hole by the treasure. Liam and all the animals were able to drink together and quench their terrible thirst. The lions came too, in peace, their faces red with Aaron's blood. They drank together

Then Liam had to leave and he was sad to leave all his animal friends

''I love you all'' he told them ''even the lions. You are all special and powerful''

Liam returned to the Lord, triumphant, with the treasure. Aaron was there kneeling before the Lord, head bowed and looking very sorry for himself

''Well done Liam'' the Lord said ''And Aaron, you failed and your punishment was to be eaten alive by the Lions but you are back here now, both of you. However, you must now complete two more challenges. This means Aaron still has a chance of winning if he wins both of them and Liam you have a head start and only need to win one more to be the winner. One of you needs to win two out of three to be the winner basically''

The boys felt so tired they wished there were no more challenges. Liam felt a little angry, he had worked hard to win and wished that this was enough to be the top slave right away. But he was not to question how the Lord went about it

''Are you boys ready to hear your second challenge?'' the Lord asked them

''Yes Sir'' they replied