RAMADAN
"RAMADAN"
Once upon a time, in a faraway land, there lived a young man named Ahmed. Ahmed was a kind and gentle soul, but he had a secret. He was a werewolf, cursed to transform into a beast every full moon.
One night, during the holy month of Ramadan, Ahmed was walking home from the mosque when he felt the moonlight begin to change him. He tried to resist the transformation, but it was too powerful. He ran into the forest, trying to escape the eyes of his fellow villagers.
As the moon rose higher in the sky, Ahmed's body began to change. His hands turned into claws, his teeth sharpened, and his senses became heightened. He felt the urge to hunt, to run wild through the forest. But he fought against it, remembering the teachings of his faith.
"Be patient," he told himself. "Ramadan is a time for self-reflection, not for giving in to temptation."
Just then, Ahmed heard a cry for help. A young girl was being chased by a pack of wolves. Ahmed's instincts told him to run, but his conscience wouldn't let him leave the girl to her fate. So he ran towards her, ready to defend her from the wolves. But just as he got close, he felt a sharp pain in his side. One of the wolves had bitten him! Ahmed felt the blood rushing through his veins, the change coming over him once again. He struggled to keep control, but the wolf in him was too strong.
With a howl, Ahmed transformed into a beast, his eyes glowing red in the moonlight. He stood between the girl and the pack of wolves, snarling and growling, daring them to come any closer.
For a moment, there was silence. Then, one of the wolves took a step forward, growling back at Ahmed. It was clear that they were going to fight. The girl huddled behind Ahmed, trembling in fear.
Just then, a third sound joined the fray. A deep, rumbling roar, like the sound of thunder. The wolves turned in fear, their hackles raised. Ahmed turned as well, and he saw a massive lion standing in the clearing. It was huge, its golden mane shining in the moonlight. The lion roared again, its gaze fixed on the wolves. They turned tail and fled, leaving the girl and Ahmed alone with the lion. Ahmed expected the lion to attack them next, but instead, it came and sat at Ahmed's feet. Ahmed reached out a hand to the lion, and it nuzzled his hand, purring softly.
The girl came out from behind Ahmed, looking at the lion in wonder. "Is it... friendly?" she asked.
"It seems so," Ahmed replied. "Maybe it was drawn here by my transformation. It must have heard my howl and come to investigate."
"Do you think it will help us get back to the village safely?" the girl asked. Ahmed looked at the lion, studying its body language. The lion looked back at him, its tail swishing gently from side to side. It seemed relaxed and calm, not at all threatening.
"I think it will," Ahmed said. "Come, let's get out of the forest. The lion can lead us home."
The girl and Ahmed followed the lion through the woods, its tail leading the way. They walked for what seemed like hours, until they finally reached the edge of the forest. There, they saw the lights of the village in the distance, and Ahmed felt a sense of relief wash over him. But then, the lion turned to him and nudged him gently with its nose. Ahmed looked at the lion, puzzled. What was it trying to tell him?
Then, he noticed something odd. The lion had no tail. Where its tail should have been, there was a small, stubby appendage, no more than a few inches long. And its fur was matted and patchy. The lion was not a wild animal at all, but a tame one, injured and lost.
Ahmed realized that the lion hadn't come to the forest to help him. Instead, he had come to the forest to find help for itself. And Ahmed had answered its call. Ahmed knelt down and looked the lion in the eye. "I'll help you," he said. "I'll take you home and get you the care you need."
The lion purred, as if it understood what Ahmed was saying. Ahmed gently picked it up and carried it back to the village. He brought it to the local healer, who tended to its wounds and nursed it back to health. Over time, the lion and Ahmed became inseparable, and Ahmed's village became a haven for lost and injured animals. In time, it became known as the village of the Lionheart, a place where even the most wounded creatures could find safety and solace. All because of one brave soul who chose to help a lion in need.
And that is the story of how Ahmed, the werewolf, and the lion became the bravest of friends.
©® Coker Favour A.
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