There's a good chance it has some basis in reality. Lions have long interacted with humans in various parts of the world. It's possible that the story of Mia and the lion was inspired by real tales of human - animal relationships. For example, in some African cultures, there are stories of a special bond between a person and a wild animal. So, while it might not be a completely factual, blow - by - blow account, it could be rooted in real experiences.