Born Free Page #2

might start eating people one day.

You're joking, of course.

You know my lions are perfect little angels.

Yes, but they'll be very large angels soon.

Isn't it about time you thought

of shipping them off to a zoo?

Is that an order, John?

You're touchy. Have you been feeding him

that lion's milk he's famous for?

Of course it's not an order.

But it's a good idea, isn't it?

Yes, of course, you're right.

We've already arranged to send them

to Rotterdam Zoo.

- We're not ecstatic about it.

- Why? It's excellent.

He means we're going to miss them.

I know I will, terribly.

Particularly one of them.

Of course you will.

They're absolutely loveable at this age.

- Forgot to shut the gates.

- Heaven help the house. Hurry!

Perfect little angels!

John, be a dear and get hold of Elsa.

- Be careful, she's not very strong.

- Neither am I.

No, you don't understand. She's delicate.

So am I. Let George fetch her.

Would you mind keeping your eye on her?

We'll be back in a moment.

All right, my delicate one. Here I come.

- Joy, would you go back and fetch Elsa?

- Yes. I hope John doesn't scare her.

Steady.

Elsa, you naughty girl.

Don't you understand? He's the boss.

I'm sorry, John,

you must have frightened her.

Come on, come on, darling.

You mustn't be afraid of John.

He likes lions.

All too soon, we received word

from the Rotterdam Zoo...

...that it was ready to receive the cubs.

We padded and wired the truck.

And each day we took them out

for a long ride...

...in order to prepare them

for the 180-mile trip to the Nairobi airfield.

I would leave Pati behind on these rides.

She was getting old now,

and I kept her as quiet as possible.

- Look after Pati for me, Nuru.

- Yes, Memsahib.

- All right, darling?

- Yes, fine.

- Memsahib. Pati...

- What's happened?

She's very sick, I think from heat.

I think she die.

She's dead.

When the day

that I had been dreading came...

...I went for a last walk with Elsa.

Elsa?

There you are. Come on.

Come on, come on down.

This way. Come on.

Elsa, no!

Come away. Please!

Thank you, darling. That's a good girl.

If it's any consolation,

I feel as rotten about it as you do.

George, I think I ought to tell you

that just now Elsa...

What about her?

Nothing.

Come on, love. Come on.

There you go, my sweetie.

- I suppose we do have to send them off.

- Yes.

All of them?

Yes, even Elsa.

Even if I told you that she just stopped me

from walking into a great big cobra...

...and that she knew what she was doing?

I'm sorry, it wasn't fair to ask.

Let's get the show on the road,

as they say.

- Would you mind if I did some shopping?

- No, good idea.

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