Mercy of Kayo
It’s a cold blinding white day. The weather is
relentless as the trees blow violently in the brisk winter storm.
Cedar trees and Jack Pine animated by hands of winter sprits. A leopard
sits and licks his paws. The chilling wind racing threw his thick fur.
As an observer it is unbelievable the beauty of this glorious creature I
can’t help but imagine what it must be like to be him. Every day in envy I sit
silently on a cliff face watching this mysterious grand cat going about it’s
business. Leavening me in spellbound awe, the contrast of the great cat, and the
blazing white snow. Nikon clutched in my hands snapping pictures of the grace
and unmatchable comeliness. The mountains of Asia are not very welcoming to
outsiders and mundane beings. It is mid January and in the middle of mating
season for this monarch of the snow. Even
with 30x zoom I still can’t get as close as I would like. I guess it is never
close enough regardless of which fine specimen is being viewed. With his larger
then average paws, Kayo moves eloquently threw the snow. Finding his potential
mate he stops and begins to growl with a fury that could only be of a cat.
Leaning over the edge I aim my camera to get the shot of them all. The fight is
about to start and it is to be decided the alpha male. Another great cat that I
have filmed before, Yakasha advances rapidly on Kayo and they begin to brawl.
Adjusting for the perfect shot I almost have it.
Suddenly the edge of the cliff gives way. Falling
helplessly to the base of the cliff the young photographer clasps lifelessly to
the ground. Unable to move speak, or regain consciousness the two warring cats
break their battle spooked and curious of the happenings so close to them.
Sniffing the body of the man kayo grows ever more wondrous of what sits
before him. The smell was faint a moment ago but now is strong. The stranger has
been found but his threat was never felt. Kayo dragging the man by the collar
moves him to a small cave. Using his body to cover the helpless man he sits and
protects him. The storm is picking up speed and is bringing increasingly more
treacherous. Kayo needing food leaves the makeshift shelter of the cave and
begins the hunt. At last his opportunity is presented. It is a small fox without
an inclination of the prowler sighting him in. With his huge paws he trots what
seems without a sound threw the snow and drifted embankment impeding his path to
the fox. With a massive final leap Kayo pounces high into the air descending
with great force upon his pray. Bleeding uncontrollably from the massive wound
in the neck and the merciless raking of the claws that adorn the paws of this
magnificent cat the fox is helpless. Letting out a final cry the fox is left
limp in the mouth of Kayo. Finding the hunt to be satisfactory Kayo drags the
corps back to the small cave and begins feeding. The photographer still without
his faculties or consciousness peacefully lays motionless in natures care.
The storm fades into but a breeze and the snowy
wonderland is evident in the pines that dress the hillside. Waking from his fall
the man sits up a bit dazed. Noting the Leopard next to him he is startled but
says nothing. The Leopard sleeps silently and content after good feeding. Moving
with caution the man grabs his gear and grasps for the Nikon that sits in his
rock sack. Pushing the envelope of luck and perhaps even fate he takes a few
more pictures of the sleeping giant. Alerted by the clicking mechanical sound of
the camera with every capture the Leopard abruptly stands and faces the man.
Feeling extremely uncomfortable the man backs to the wall and hopes for the
beast to show favor on him. Speaking to him the man says, “I am not here to
hurt you, only to see your beauty.” Seemingly understanding of the man’s
concern and fear the cat simply nudges the man’s arm with his head and points
his nose to the exit of the small cave.
Walking slowly the man looks back at the cat that has
shown him grace. Looking forward again he moves threw the path made by the
Leopard the night before in his hunt. Finding his way back to his truck the man
reflects on his experiences in the mountains of northern Asia. In awe of the
snow leopards and the fact he was saved he gives thanks to his god.
Returning
home he tells many of his friends of the journey he had and of the events taken
place. They don’t believe him but he knows it is true. Not caring to invest
the effort to prove his story he simply goes to bed. Tired from the fall and the
travel back to camp he lies in his sleeping bag. The small cabin is warm with
the fire in the small oven and the room smells of game for his friends found a
few hairs in their search for food. Filled with hair and having heavy eyes sleep
overtakes him and he is plunged into a deep dreamy sleep.
That night his dreams depict a leopard guiding him by
the hand threw woods he knows not. A white light surrounds the great cat and it
appears as if they cat has become bipedal. Dark fur covers his ears and his
spots are jet black. His fur a faint brown and gleaming white covers the
entirety of his body. The cat addresses the man with a hello. Startled that the
cat is speaking to him the man asks, “Why have you come”. The cat responds,
“I am Kayo and I am your protector”. Reaching
his great paw out Kayo blesses the man. “You have respected my kind and so I
have blessed you” Kayo thunders, pressing his paw into the man’s hand.
Sweet on his brow and fear painted on his face the
man sits up suddenly in the cabin distraught over his vision. Looking down at
his hands he has the imprint of a paw on his hand and five small streams of
blood flowing slowly from the loving wound the cat left on his hand. The wind
flicks the door back closed as the cabin fills with the cool air of the
mountains for but a moment. Listening carefully the man hears “You have a
friend in the forest now”, followed by a deep meaty call as the great leopards
all cry out in harmony, and unison.