The Beautiful Liger

Zinabia was the most beautiful creature that I had ever seen. I stood in awe of her as I stared deeply into her turquoise-blue eyes. Strangely, I felt no fear whatsoever. Her lovely face bore symbols of a long bygone and nostalgic era. Within that face I saw wisdom, kindness, peace, complete and endless love embodying a curious blend of time. Her aura pulsated a mixture of the joy and pain of bearing the world upon her shoulders.

I had been lost in the jungle for two days and two nights, having strayed too far from the African safari group. The guide had warned us quite firmly about wandering too far and getting lost. My curiosity had completely overshadowed my reason, rendering me wonderstruck. I lost all sense of time and place, becoming totally entranced in the awe and beauty of the untouched jungle around me.

One moment I was in a normal jungle setting, snapping pictures of the curious creatures, and trying to stay a respectful distance from the larger more dangerous animals. The next moment, I had walked through a magical door in time, and somehow emerged into a completely different jungle. Upon the horizon was a snow-capped mountain, yet I stood in a garden of lovely blooming trees and flowers.

Within this jungle everything appeared new and untouched. The air was cleaner and fresher. The trees, the flowers, the sounds of the bird songs which were filled with hope and freedom, felt new, and I felt more alive than I had for a long time.

I encountered many animals, even great lions, tigers, and many that I did not recognize. Yet none tried to harm me. They only looked at me with great curiosity and went about their business. It was indeed strange, but I felt safe and comforted by it. By night I burrowed into dense foliage and slept soundly.

On the third day as I walked, picking delicious fruits and drinking from tiny ponds nestled in little waterfalls. I was startled out of my reverie.

Before me stood the most wonderous beast that I had ever seen. We both stood and surveyed each other.

"Ah! And so it begins. Man has found himself into Tomorrowland"! The lovely mosaiced beast said. She was a beauty. Looking at her, it seemed perfectly reasonable that she was able to speak.

"I am called Vienda, and I am a woman". I huffed, even though I knew what she meant.

The large cat growled.

"How are you called"? I asked.

She thought long and hard before replying.

"I, am the before and the after. I have existed here long before the coming of man. Within me can be found the key to the past and the future foretold.

It is I, Zinabia, queen of the jungle, offspring of the first generation of King Hatua, the Jungle Lion, and Shimara the royal Tigress of Andaway Land.

I have lived and ruled in the jungles of Tomorrowland for generations. From that time when animals ruled over the world, respecting the land. We took only what we needed and killed only for food. We looked our prey in the eyes as they died as a sacrifice to the continuation of life. In so doing their spirits are guided with respect and dignity into the afterlife".

"Tomorrowland"? I asked.

"Yes. This was the first land, and it will exist long after the lands outside have all been drained of their resources and are no more". Zinabia sounded a bit sad.

"How did I get here. I seem to have stumbled into a different world by mistake".

"You are the first to find the Secret door to our land. We went out there once, but none of the animals venture out there anymore. It is too dangerous and frightening".

"Will I be able to return to my world without any problems, I mean you won't eat me or lock me up or anything"?

From within the forested depth came the sounds of laughter, shrieking, baying, howling and roaring among many other sounds. Apparently we had an invisible audience which must have included a laughing hyena.

"We would never eat the flesh of humans. It is tainted with the poison of the outside world". Came a disdainful voice from the woods".

"Be nice Bindar, this human has to have some good within her if she were chosen to enter the entry door". Zinabia admonished.

"I am the only human to have ever come here. Should I be flattered or afraid. What is the significance of my being allowed in here"?

"You were chosen to represent your kind and to give them a warning".

"But how? No one will believe me". I fretted.

"You may take a photo of me and the land with your device. Do not look so surprised. I know of these things, I am all seeing and all knowing. I can observe but not interfere in the affairs of other lands. You may take some proof of our existence when you leave. Tell your lands about our existence, encourage them to be kinder to nature and the land or they are doomed to repeat the mistakes of the past. Whether or not they believe or change their ways is entirely up to them". Zinabia looked long and hard at me before continuing.

"The world has become entrenched in selfishness, and it will be a daunting job to open their hearts and minds to change. You have to more than try. You have to succeed. Time is of the essence. You were chosen for a reason. You must find a way". She concluded.

"Many have tried to bring changes without success. We are a hard willed people". Doubt clouded my face.

Zinabia shook her head.

"Tell me about the symbols adorning your body. What do they mean". I asked.

"They signify the years of my successful rule". There were many.

I said goodbye, and was escorted to the exit, armed with a new beginning.