Auta had always been drawn to the deep, untamed forests that stretched beyond his village. The towering trees, the thick undergrowth, and the chorus of life in the woods had a magnetic pull on him. Yet, it wasn’t just nature’s beauty that beckoned him; Auta had heard tales of the legendary leopard that roamed the forest—a creature so elusive, so deadly, it had become the subject of both fear and reverence. Being the last son in the house, the reason he was given the name 'Auta' which means the most junior. He had grown under the constant supervision of his parents, especially his mother who saw him as the succor of her old age. He was rarely left to go out on any form of straining adventures like his age mates do. "Who will stay with me of anything happens to you" his mother will say when he seeked her permission to go hunting or fishing with his friends. "You older siblings will soon leave and I can't bare living alone in my old age".
That spring, as the first warmth of the season melted the chill of winter, Auta felt the urge to venture deeper into the woods. The village elders had warned him, as they had warned all young men before him, about the dangers that lurked in those shadowed depths. But Auta, young and full of fire, dismissed the warnings. He believed the stories were merely that, stories. Having practically lived under the bossom of his parents and occassional hunting with his father and older siblings, he had proved to be a fearless young man. Although that bothered him mother but his father secretly cherished the fire burning in the heart of his soon and he did nothing to discourage it. "No matter how long the eaglet nestles under the wings of it mother, it must one day open in wings, to soar the mountains because that is it nature. We are from the linage of fearless hunters and warriors. Follow your mind my son". His father often told him when they go out hunting.
This occassional talks have kindled the fire of adventure in Auta's heart and he had secretly natured the idea of taking a risk, a risk that will put his name on the lips of every villager and on the lips of generations to come. One morning, before the sun had fully risen, Auta slipped from his home and made his way toward the forest. The trees whispered above him, their limbs swaying gently in the spring breeze. His heart raced with excitement and trepidation, for he knew this was no ordinary hunt. He had heard rumors of the leopard's recent sightings—its movements growing bolder as it prowled closer to the village. Auta believed he was more than capable of facing whatever challenge lay ahead.
As he ventured deeper into the woods, the air grew thicker, the underbrush more tangled. It was eerily quiet, a stillness that unsettled him. The usual sounds of birds and insects had gone silent. Auta’s instincts began to sharpen, his senses heightened. He tightened his grip on his spear, scanning the shadows for any sign of movement.
It wasn’t long before he came upon the first sign—a large, blood-streaked paw print in the dirt. His heart skipped a beat. The leopard was near. Auta crouched down, trying to steady his breath, listening for any sound that might betray the creature’s presence. But all was silent.
Then, a rustling came from the dense thicket to his left. Auta’s muscles tensed, and in an instant, he turned toward the noise, his spear raised, ready to strike.
But nothing emerged.
His eyes darted back and forth, every shadow now a potential threat. And that’s when he heard it—the unmistakable sound of a low growl, reverberating through the trees. Auta froze. The growl was followed by a quick snap of branches, too fast to be a mere wind.
The leopard had already seen him!
Before Auta could react, the air around him exploded with movement. The leopard sprang from the shadows, its powerful legs propelling it toward him with astonishing speed. Its eyes, glowing with malice, locked onto his own. Auta swung his spear with all his might, but the leopard was too fast. It darted around him, its claws flashing like daggers.
Auta stumbled backward, barely able to keep his footing. His heart hammered in his chest as he tried to regain his balance. But the leopard was relentless. It circled him, its muscles rippling beneath its sleek coat, its eyes never leaving his. Auta’s mind raced. He knew he couldn’t keep this up for long. One wrong move, and it would be over.
In that moment of desperation, Auta recalled the stories of the old hunters. The ones who spoke of the leopard’s arrogance, how it would toy with its prey before delivering the killing blow. Auta knew he had only one chance. He needed to outsmart it.
He slowly lowered his spear, letting it dangle by his side. The leopard, sensing an opening, lunged forward, aiming for his throat. In the split second before impact, Auta twisted his body, throwing himself to the ground and rolling away from the predator’s reach. The leopard’s claws missed by mere inches, slashing the air with a deadly hiss.
Auta sprang to his feet, pivoting and thrusting his spear into the ground. He twisted it, setting it in place as an anchor. The leopard circled once more, its tail flicking like a whip. It paused for a moment, as though toying with him.
Then, with a sudden and brutal roar, it charged.
Auta’s heart raced, but his mind was clear. In one fluid motion, he pulled the spear from the ground and drove it forward, aiming for the heart of the beast. The sharp point pierced the air and found its mark, embedding deep into the leopard’s side.
For a moment, the world seemed to pause. The leopard let out a final, anguished cry before collapsing to the ground, its body twitching in the last throes of life. Auta staggered backward, his hands trembling, sweat running down his face. He had done it!
