Roar Stone Mystery

The sun warmed the tall grass, and Pride Hill shone like gold. The lions stood strong and proud. When King Moyo lifted his head, his deep roar usually rolled and bounced across the land. It was their song, their hello, their brave drum.

But today, something was wrong.

Moyo padded to the top of the hill and looked down. "Hmmm," he rumbled. "Where is our Roar Stone?" The big, round, smooth stone that made roars dance was gone. Only a flat, dusty circle was left.

Lulu, a small cub with bright eyes, gasped. "Did someone steal our roar?"

Tiko, her brother, puffed his chest. "We can find it! We can be the Clue Crew."

Moyo’s mane rustled in the warm breeze. He stood tall and steady. "Brave hearts, sharp eyes," he said. "Let’s follow the clues."

They looked at the dusty circle. Beside it was a long, smooth line in the dirt, like something heavy had slid away. In the grass, Lulu spotted a feather—black and white and very big.

She held it up. "A feather!"

Tiko’s whiskers twitched. "Feather means bird. But a very big bird."

Moyo nodded. "Good eyes. Which bird is tall and runs fast?"

They followed the smooth slide mark down the hill. They found prints in the soft ground—two long toes, like the letter V, pressed deep. Tiko tried to copy them, lifting his knees high. He wobbled and giggled. "These feet do not fly. They run!"

"An ostrich," Moyo said. His voice sounded like a drumbeat. "Let’s see where it went."

The trail led across the grasslands, past a bright acacia tree and a sandy hollow. The lions walked with powerful, careful steps. Birds fluttered out of their way. Lizards zipped into the shade. Lulu sniffed the air. "I smell dry grass and... something warm."

They reached a wide nest on the ground, made of twigs and soft leaves. A tall ostrich stood there, fluffing her feathers. She looked worried and very busy. Next to the nest was a big, round, smooth stone.

"Our Roar Stone!" Lulu squeaked.

The ostrich blinked her big brown eyes. "Oh! Hello, lions. I am Oona. I’m so sorry if this is your stone. The wind kept tickling my eggs. I needed a wind-break. I found this smooth, sunny rock and rolled it here. It felt just right. I didn’t know it was special to you."

Tiko peeked at the eggs, speckled and snug. "Do eggs like stones?"

"They like to be warm and safe," Oona said gently. "I pushed the stone with my chest and wings. It was hard work." She pecked the ground. "I did not mean to take your roar."

Moyo stood tall and calm. "We all need safe, warm things," he said. "We also need our Roar Stone. Here is a plan: we will help your nest, and you will help us roll it home."

Oona nodded quickly. "Yes! Yes! I will help."

Moyo lifted his head and called, strong and sure. "Tembo!" The earth seemed to hum. An elephant with kind eyes and a mighty trunk lumbered over.

"A moving day?" Tembo trumpeted.

"A moving day," Moyo agreed.

Lulu and Tiko gathered big leaves and long grass to build a wind-wall for Oona’s nest. Oona tucked the leaves around the nest, making a soft screen.

Then Moyo placed his big paws on the stone. "Clue Crew," he said to the cubs, "you count. Tembo, you lift. Oona and I will guide."

Lulu’s tail flicked with excitement. "Ready? One, two, three—push!"

Tembo curled his trunk around the round edge. Oona pressed with her chest. Moyo’s muscles bunched, strong and steady. The stone rolled with a thump, bump, thump. Dust sparkled in the sun. Tiko trotted beside it, checking the path. "Mind the little rocks!" he called. "Turn left by the acacia!"

Up the hill they went, slow and brave. The stone felt heavy, but Moyo’s voice kept everyone moving. "Steady. Strong. Together."

At the flat circle on Pride Hill, they set the Roar Stone back in its place. It settled with a happy, solid sound.

Moyo climbed on top. He filled his chest. His eyes shone. He roared.

The sound leaped from the stone, rolled over the grass, bounced off far trees, and came back like a great friendly hello. Lulu laughed. Tiko pranced. Tembo flapped his ears. Oona fluffed her feathers with joy.

"Our echo is home," Lulu said.

Oona plucked a small feather and gave it to Lulu. "For the Clue Crew," she said. "Thank you for helping my eggs."

Moyo lowered his head to the cubs. "Brave hearts. Sharp eyes. A good mystery solved."

The lions stood strong on Pride Hill. The Roar Stone hummed. The grass whispered around them, and the pride’s bright, bouncing song filled the wide, warm day.