The sun dipped low over the English countryside, painting the rolling hills in warm shades of gold and amber. A group of hikers trudged back toward their campsite after a long day exploring the moors when one of themOliver Whitmorespotted something peculiar by the riverbank. In the murky water, a large shape thrashed weakly. Squinting, Oliver realized with a jolt: it was a lion. The mighty king of beasts, drowning in a river far from its natural home.
Oliver didnt hesitate. While the others froze, he dropped his rucksack and dove in without a second thought. The current was stronger than he expected, and the lionsoaked and heavywas nearly impossible to drag. His muscles burned, his breath came in ragged gasps, but the thought of letting the creature perish drove him forward. With one final heave, he hauled the limp beast onto the grass.
The lion wasnt breathing. Desperate, Oliver dropped to his knees and pressed against its broad chest, counting compressions like hed seen in first aid videos. His arms ached, his hands trembled, but he refused to stop.
Thena twitch. A shudder. The lions amber eyes flickered open.
Oliver scrambled back as the beast rose unsteadily to its paws. His pulse hammered in his ears. This was it. A wild predator, moments from turning on its rescuer.
Instead, the lion padded closer and licked his hand.
Then his face.
The rough tongue was warm, almost affectionate, as if to say, *Thank you.* For a heartbeat, man and beast locked eyestwo strangers bound by a brush with death. Then, with a flick of its tail, the lion turned and vanished into the bracken, leaving Oliver breathless on the riverbank.
Hed set out that morning for a simple hike. He hadnt expected to save a lifeor to be reminded, in the most unforgettable way, that even wild hearts remember kindness.
