Who Says You Can’t Learn New Tricks?

Birds chirped as the new day arose, the African sun peeking the horizon. Birds were chirping as a light breeze tickled the trees. The first one up was Colt as he yawned and stretches in a spotlight of sunshine. Seeing the others still asleep, he started to creep away until he bumped into Duke. "And where do you think you are going?" the voluntary leader asked his cohort.

"Uh…just a little morning stroll around the jungle?" was Colts' answer.

"By yourself?"

"Eeeeeyeah. I wasn't gonna go too far from the group."

"And this wouldn't have anything to do with any certain lions by any chance, would it?"

"What? No! No-no-no-no-no-no-no-no-no-no-no-no no. No." After a momentary pause and a doubtful no-nonsense look from Duke, "Alright, maybe a little."

"What on Earth were you planning to do?"

"Eh well…maybe…get to know each other a little better?"

"How?"

Colt gave him a shrug as best as a wolf can. Sighing, Duke shook his head. "You might just get your wish today." He turned his head to the others. "Hey everybody! Wake up! I got some news for you all."

Everyone in the pack stirred as they awoke to Duke's voice as they yawned and stretched. "What's the word, Duke?" asked a half sleepy Radolf.

"I thought we could do a little co-hunt with the Pride Landers. Sort of get to know each other while showing off how we hunt."

"You mean like…they watch how we hunt and we do the same with them?" asked Achak.

"Something like that."

"I've heard it's a type of bonding humans would usually do while hunting." Colt added. "At least, that's what I've heard."

"What do you guys think?"

It seemed that about everyone thought it was a good idea, but Borris seemed a little hesitant. "I don't know you guys. What if I nearly mess up like last time?" he asked.

"You won't mess up, Borris." Meika assured him. "Our mistake was that we didn't start you out by easing you into it."

"How do we do that?"

"Don't worry, we'll put you where you can have the most confidence. But for now, someone needs to go and ask."

"I volunteer me and little Borris here!" Colt volunteered as he half pounced the nervous little wolf.

"I don't know. Can you keep it together for our sakes?" asked a doubtful Achak.

"You kidding? Borris is just as harmless as an innocent pup. He ain't gonna start anything."

"I was talking about you." Achak emphasized as he glared the cocky wolf.

"Moi?" asked Colt, acting playfully hurt at his friends' furrowed brow. "A gentleman of my integrity losing his cool? Why, that's an insult to my honor!"

"Just go with Elda and don't mess this up," growled Achak. He nodded to their biggest member who acknowledged him back and started to walk with the two volunteers. And so all three of them headed over to Pride Rock as the other four stayed behind.

"You sure Colt can do this without acting like a fool?" Radolf asked his companions.

"I don't know." said Duke. "I'm sure he means well. I just hope for our sakes he'll be smart about it."

"Somehow I doubt it," grumbled Achak.

The three impromptu ambassadors trotted along the green grassy part of the Pridelands. They were silent for the most part, but as they were halfway there Colt was in thought for the most part and then started to speak. "So…how do you fellas think these cats hunt?"

"Not sure. If big enough, they should be able to take something down if it's within their capabilities," stated Elda. "It might be interesting to watch."

"Certainly hope they're not curious about trying wolf on the menu," said a nervous Borris.

"Ah relax, will ya, short stack?" asked Colt. "You'll be fine. As long as everyone stays true to their word, we should be as right as the sun." He then smiled impishly as he teased him. "Or are you afraid of a certain miss kitty might… 'pounce' ya?"

"Dude!"

"What? I'm just teasing you."

"Still, dude."

"Alright, alright. Knock it off, Colt. Leave him be. We're just about there anyway. Besides, what makes you think that you could possibly win over someone bigger than you? Much less isn't your species?" asked Elda.

"Well...if you must know," Colt asked in a coy tone. "I've been trying out this little thing humans often do as one of the many ways they find a mate called a…smolder, I believe it's called."

"A smolder? What the hell is that?"

"Well, it's a sort of a smile humans would try to win a mate that would uh…'warm up to 'em' as they say. It would be a little something like this." Colts' face shifted to look like a suave son-of-a-bitch, but to his compadres they had a befuddled look on their faces as if to say 'what are you doing?'. "I've practiced and tried to perfect it as best I could."

"And…did it work?"

"Once. First tried it on a bobcat, turned out to be male."

"Woof. That must've been awkward," said Elda, half sympathetic and half amused.

"Then there was this mountain lion, thought I try it out with her."

"You sure it was 'her' that time?" Elda asked now teasing his southern friend.

"It seemed to be working," Colt continued, frowning and ignoring his large compatriot. "But then she hissed and took a swipe at me."

"So why even do it?" asked Borris at last. "Why try something that just doesn't work?"

"Because 'Red', there are many ways to go about seeking a mate. I mean, sure, if you have to fight for a female then it's necessary. But there has to be other ways of going about it."

"I suppose that's one way to look at it." Elda admitted. "If so confident in this approach of yours, why not first try it on a female of our own species?"

"Oh hey look! There we are!" Colt acknowledged the all too familiar mountain peak just up ahead as he ignored Elda. "Let's go, fellas!" Elda just sighed as they trotted onwards. It was going to be a long day.

The boys made their way up to the entrance as they were greeted by a familiar hornbill. "Ah, good morning, gentlemen," said Zazu as he landed before them. "Everything well with the accommodations?"

"Oh yeah, almost just like home," said Colt with a grin.

"We're actually here to see if there was anyone around that would be happy to do a morning hunt with us." Elda said getting to the point.

"Is there something wrong?" Zazu had a look of concern as he asked this.

"Oh no! No! Nothing wrong with that at all!" Borris piped up nervously. "It's just that um…well,…"

"We were hoping to get to know each other a little better." Elda tried to explain. "You know, like a…a friendly outing between lion and wolf in terms of hunting. A predatory exchange if you will. We're still a little unfamiliar with the terrain."

"Oh." Zazu tapped his foot in thought as he pondered this. "I'll have talk to his highness about this, but I'm sure he wouldn't mind."

"Thanks a lot, little critter," said Colt with a canine grin as he thanked him. Zazu looked a little offended and confused when being called such a thing and flew a little bit over into the cave for a moment.

" 'Critter'?" Elda asked Colt, looking at him with nonchalant bemusement. "Seriously? Did you really have to say that?"

"What?! It's just a thing where I'm from." Colt said defensively.

"That may be true, but here it could mean something incredibly different to them."Elda said trying to reason with him. "Borris is nervous as it is."

"I'm not that nervous." Borris said in objection. "I'm just…more concerned about making it through a hunt without any trouble is all."

Soon Zazu returned with Nala who greeted them with a smile. "Hello boys," she said in a warm tone. "Zazu tells me you wished to do a little hunt with us?"

"Uh yes, your highness," said Elda. "Just a friendly outing with some of your lionesses that are available if you and Simba are alright with that."

"I don't think that's such a bad idea. In fact, I'd be happy to join you all as well."

"Eh, you sure Simba wouldn't mind it?" asked Colt.

"He's busy teaching Kiara with her hunting skills so I'm sure he won't mind." At this, Colt had a sudden thought about it which led to a naughty smile. Catching this, Elda stamped the wolfs' front paw which made him whimper a little as the large wolf gave him a disapproving look as he shook his head no. "I know some girls that might be available for today. Would that be alright with you gentlemen?"

"As long as they don't have a problem with it," said Borris with a nervous smile.

"We wouldn't mind at all." Colt reassured her highness grinning from ear to ear.

"This way then if you please." To make a long story short (too late), Nala took the three fellas down to a shaded area as it so happened the lioness that accompanied Duke, Meika and Achak along with the ones that followed them along with Radolf, much to Borris' surprise. When asked about it, all seemed alright with it save for Kaya who seemed hesitant about it. After much persuasion, especially from Rashmi, the stubborn lioness finally conceded much to Rashmis' delight. Borris felt a little regretful about this but he was part of the pack and thus went along with it.

After everything was settled, both wolves and lions (heeded by Nala) set out on the first interspecies hunt. They eventually came across a good size herd of wildebeest that seemed fair enough for the wolves to have a decent chance. Out of common courtesy, the wolves observed the lions first as they took first kill.

Now there are two known methods that Lions employ to hunt their prey. The first one is by stalking them. Many people may have seen this if they either had a pet cat or have watched an animal documentary on television. This is the primary way that they hunt, which is to stay hidden for as long as possible while they approach their prey. Lionesses also work together when they hunt by surrounding their prey as they stay hidden. Eventually, though, the prey will notice or hear the approaching Lion, in which it will become a chase for them both. Once the lion catches up to the prey, they use their powerful claws to maul at their prey and crush their necks, leaving them paralyzed to be taken back to the lion's home.

The other way is a little more straightforward. This is when the male lion also joins the hunt together with the lionesses. For this method, there is no hiding or stalking involved, they go for the big prey and then corner it strategically. Once the prey is cornered, the lion comes in face to face to fight with the animal. In the end, the weight, brute strength and bravery of the lion is what will determine the outcome of the hunt.

This in mind, the wolves watched as they observed the lions stalking their unknowing prey through the tall grass, their tan hides almost invisible. In an inwards fan formation, the big cats encircled the wildebeest near a less bundled part of the herd as they seeked out a possible kill. The wildebeest seemed a little nervous, sensing a nearby danger but continued grazing with caution. When the moment was right, the hunt began as one of the lions gave chase as the antelope species were spooked and took off. After several more bounds, they were able to take down a wildebeest and pinned it down as one of them went for the kill as she bit down on its throat. Slowly, the beast was losing the will to fight as her teeth sank into its throat until finally it laid stiff.

From upon the hill, the pack was admiring their way tactics. "Not bad. Impressive," said Duke.

"A bit difficult but simple enough to work with." Radolf added.

"Mighty fancy pouncing there," said Colt. "But I think we can do better."

"It's not a contest, Colt." Achak reminded him. "But yes, I think it's about time we showed them what we can do." With everyone in agreement, Duke called them in for a plan of attack and this time, Borris was going to have a vital part in this.