2
The lion rose and went slowly through the forest.
“The king of beasts is out hunting,” said the hedgehog, creeping under the bushes.
“See how thin he is,” said the bat. “His skin is hanging loose on his bones.”
“It is many nights since he went hunting,” said the owl. “His eyes are glaring with hunger.”
But the king of the forest was not thinking of hunting. He went, as though in a dream, in the direction of Two-Legs’ house. A deer darted across his path and he did not see her. Slowly he went until he came to the open space on the hill where Two-Legs’ house stood.
He went straight up to it, leapt nimbly over the hedge and crouched in some bushes that grew at the door. He there lay concealed. No one could see him, only his yellow eyes gleamed through the leaves. And one bound would bring him to the door.