The Lion's Share

Born Free

Small watercolor study

Do lion's really share?  If they do, how much do they share?  Where did this idiom "the lion's share" originate?  Quite a number of fables, many pointing to the famous Aesop's Fables, have a variation of the theme about a lion killing his prey and not dividing it up with his fellow hunters.  In that fable, the lion declared dominance in every way and kept all or most of the meat for himself.  So out of those fables developed the idiom 'the lion's share" which means the best, largest ,or choicest amount.

Here are a few lion facts for you:

1.   Lions really do not share their kill with others, or at least until they have gotten all they can handle.  

2.  Lion's can rest up to 20 hours a day and spend 4 hours hunting.

3.  Lion's can eat up to 70 pounds of their kill almost to the point of being bloated.  

From sketches at Omaha's Henry Doorly Zoo

I have been reading once again through the Chronicles of Narnia by C.S. Lewis out loud to a young friend of mine.  So I have lions on my mind!  If you are familiar with Lewis's famous series, the predominant hero is the majestic lion Aslan.  Lewis created the lion character to represent Jesus Christ in his beloved children's stories.  The Narnian Aslan is such a compelling being, so attractive that even the mention of his name created a deep yearning for him.  When in the story Susan asks of Mr. and Mrs. Beaver if Aslan is safe, the familiar response given by the beavers was "Who said anything about safe?  'Course he isn't safe.  But he's good.  He's the King, I tell you."  

African lion yawning and mountain lion - Omaha's Henry Doorly Zoo

Of course, a story can only reflect a facet of the wonderful truth that Jesus Christ is much more wonderful, greater, and desirable than a fictional Aslan could ever be.  He is who our souls yearn to know, love and belong.  

Wrong will be right, when Aslan comes in sight,

At the sound of his roar, sorrows will be no more,

When he bares his teeth, winter meets its death,

And when he shakes his mane, we shall have spring again.

                                           

                                       ---C.S.Lews

The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe

Live bravely and beautifully!