"It was dark and safe in the undergrowth. The smell of human and dog had finally disappeared. After hours of crashing about in the woods they had finally admitted defeat and left. Night was falling. The usual warm smells had taken over and she slowly relaxed and stretched her black sinuous body. She blinked her green eyes and put her head out of the trees.
"Her fear was for her cub now. She had to get back to where she had hidden it. She knew it had been a while since it had fed. A sudden movement in the trees above made her jump back in alarm. The soft call of a bird made her realise it was just an owl setting out on his nightly hunt. She shuffled forward. All senses alert, body low, she darted across the pathway. On the other side she raised her head, sniffing the air. She could still smell the residue of the white, lighted sticks that the humans put in their mouths.
"Keeping to the lengthening shadows she made her way to the small cave where she had left the cub. It came tottering to the entrance, half asleep, mewling in hunger. As it fed, she slept and remembered a time when she was a cub. She had lived with humans and had been called Kimba. She had lived in a house with Kali and had been fed every day. Then suddenly everything had changed. One night they had been bundled into the back of a car and dumped in the woods.
"They had stayed together at first, curled up in the undergrowth, shivering. Then hunger and thirst had driven them out to hunt. Kali was older than her and he took the lead. They instinctively avoided humans and only hunted at night. Then Kali became restless and left her, only returning when she came into season. They mated and he left her again. She would occasionally come across his scent when she was out hunting at night. So it had gone on season after season. She had always miscarried her cubs until now. This year was different. A cub had survived and was thriving.
"The small animals that she usually hunted were not enough if she was to wean this cub. Desperation had made her go to where the humans lived in search of food. She was so intent on the smells coming from the house that she didnt see the dog until it was upon her. It bit her neck as she turned and lashed out with her claws. It fell to the ground and she jumped onto it and bit down on its throat. Suddenly a light shone in her eyes and she heard a human voice shouting. She let go of the dog and ran away. The next day she heard the commotion in the woods when the humans and dogs came.
"The cub whimpered in its sleep, satisfied and warm. She stood up and set out into the night to hunt. She had learned a valuable lesson. Stay away from the humans or they would kill her and her cub".
Sharon Keane
your comments
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Lisa Pearce, Paphos , Cyprus
Loved the story...I'm Welsh but living in Cyprus - used to live in Brechfa, Carmarthenshire and I have seen a big puma like cta eight years ago....often think of the animal.
Tue Mar 24 12:25:49 2009
Lawrence Finn from Surrey
I've always been intrigued by the legend of big cats in the UK but despite the many sitings I do have my doubts; a photo on the internet of a so-called 'big cat' for example, that had the straight, bushy tail of a dog is a typical example of why.
And there was another photo that looked really realistic but was in fact a stuffed toy! Indeed, it seems a lot like William Golding's 'Lord of the Flies' in which the children all start seeing an imaginary 'beastie.' Then again...why shouldn't there be something exciting for us to believe in?
Mon Feb 9 14:55:47 2009
Alice Carmarthen
I think that a lot of people mistake these cats for large foxes and all the sightings are late at night, or early in the morning when it is dark.
Wed Jan 21 12:14:50 2009
Llanidloes, Powys
I loved your story Sharon. I have also spotted a big black cat in the field behind my house about 8am about 3 years ago. They are out there.
Mon Dec 18 18:09:20 2006
Allan of Swansea
I have also seen a big black panther-like animal while driving down in Fishguard. It was around 5am and I was on the old coast road from Fishguard to Cardigan when I came around a corner and in the middle of the road was this big cat. Well it leaped over the hedgerow and ran off, I have domestic cats at home and I know the difference and this was something else, jet black, it was and about three feet high very agile. Well that woke me up I can tell you !!!!
Fri Nov 10 13:37:30 2006
Rhys: Baglan
There is defanatly a wild cat up baglan mountain i have 6 witnesses as well that all seen it.
Tue Sep 19 08:49:33 2006
Matthew Davies llangrannog
There is definitely a black cat/pantha in Llangrannog because me and my friends have seen it and no it is there. We are 100% it was about 3ft high.
Wed Aug 16 11:48:54 2006
Huw Jones
I believe I had too witnessed this animal.
I was walking my dog along the cycle track between Pontardawe and Ystalyfera one day. I saw a large, dark, feline type animal in the undergrowth near a large opening.
The animal just seemed to stop and stare at me. I did't dare go near, I turned back immediately and returned home.
Reading that story, my memory of that day has been rekindled. I have heard reports from others who have observed a similar creature around Pontardawe.
Mon Jun 19 15:39:50 2006
lee minter from reading
apparently behind my m8s house there has been sightings of a black cat by a reading rspca vet.
Fri Jun 2 08:58:08 2006
kevin swansea
the bird must have been a raven.they will eat dead birds.but they dont catch them. birds of pray like an owl do
Thu May 25 12:12:27 2006
G.T , Havefordwest
I live in the countryside and often wake up to hear a cat noise (but much loader and fierce sounding than a normal)-the two I've seen look just like cats but taller and, from what ive seen, scared of humans.
Tue May 9 09:03:36 2006
kevin jenkins swansea
saw a big cat when i used to drive taxis up the valleys.i had to go to aberdare to pick a fare up at two in the morning but i was half hour early so i decided to pull in to the side of the road for a smoke.on turning left across the road from the bavistock hotel merthyr i pulled in to the side of the road.it was pitch black so i left the head lights on i could see a pair of eyes in the distance that was moving towards me i thought at first it must be a sheep but as it got closer i could see it was a lot thiner it was a big cat it walked straight past the car looked at me and growled i had a great view of it because the road is very narrow the cat i would say was about 15 ft away from me and wasent a bit afraid it was about the size of a a gray hound it had very long legs slim body small head with large ears.the tail was very long with a white tip and it was striped
Mon Mar 13 15:29:29 2006
Andrew Pontardawe
I saw a big black panther like cat moving down the field to the River Tawe last Tuesday morning 7th Feb 06. In between Tesco Pontardawe and the Inco Golf Club. Very vivid siting.
Wed Feb 15 20:00:39 2006
Dean Baglan
I've been walking in the woods in Baglan all my life and I've never seen anything at all, but I hope it exists.
Tue Dec 20 17:25:47 2005
Sam Hill in Coulsdon
A very interesting story I would love to see this published in a local magazine.
Mon Nov 28 17:02:38 2005
Ben from Livingston, Scotland
Excellent short story, I loved reading it. You really have to understand cats to tell a story like that, well done.
Mon Aug 15 14:25:06 2005
Daniel, Baglan
I know for sure there is a big cat in the forest by me.
Wed Aug 3 14:29:04 2005
Kim,Llanelli
Well done Sharon what a great story.
Sun Apr 24 21:33:33 2005
Katy from Missouri
This was good I thought I was reading a book, if it was longer it would be a great book.
Tue Feb 8 05:00:24 2005
Sharon Keane, Swansea
Thank you for your comments - They are much appreciated - Positive feedback is very welcome :)
Sun Sep 5 11:59:40 2004
Kayleigh, Carmarthen
That story was amazing a true story most animals do fear us, please write some more. Love to hear some more!
Mon Jul 12 17:52:09 2004
Louise, Leicester
I thought this was a very good short story, and I could really get into in despite it's length. Sharon Keane has done very well with this story and I enjoyed every minute of it! Thanks Sharon, loved it! Louise : )
Sun Jul 11 08:52:15 2004
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