Roar!

We had been riding through the scrub bush of the old dune lands for most of the day. We were lucky and had seen almost every animal in the area except the ‘big one’ - Lion! This is what we wanted to see. Show us the lions - the bigger the better!
“There should be some in this thicket up ahead.” said the ranger. We rode toward the thicket. Right up close You must know that we were in an open vehicle, and although we had been told that the animals could not distinguish between the passengers and the vehicle, it felt as if they were saying “Don’t be afraid of the great white shark coming at you - they don’t like the taste of humans.”
I just hope someone reminded the lions that we were part of the vehicle, and not part of the food chain.
“Wait here. I’ll go and have a look in the bush.”
Wait a minute! What happens if the lion eats the ranger and his gun? What happens to us? How do we defend ourselves How do we get back to the lodge? Help! Women and children first!
I was beginning to worry.
“No I don’t see the lions - lots of spoor though. We will have to wait a while - we might hear them - they must be somewhere close bye - Let’s have a bite to eat and something to drink.” A last supper?
Sounds good. So we eat good food and drink good wine, while we wait for the lions to make their appearance?
I must say though, I did not fall asleep at that picnic.
The lions must be somewhere near!?
From a distance comes a roar that sounds like an afternoon thunder storm approaching. We are all now wide awake, and becoming part of the vehicle, with speed.
We pack up and ride towards the noise. Every gruesome lion story ever heard flashes through my mind.
A little further right in the middle of the road lies a big fat ugly? male lion.
And us? We advance slowly nearer, nearer, nearer, until we can see the white of his eyes.
Near enough? My vibrating legs say yes. We go off road until we are in front of him. Fast get aways are out!
So near that we can spit in his eye. Were going to die!
“Please be quiet and do not make any fast or unnecessary moves.” Sound? We can hardly breath! Move? We are all petrified! It seems as if the side of the vehicle furthest from the lion has become a little crowded.
Man, this thing is massive! I am sure I would not be able to circle his wrist with both of my hands. His teeth are as long as daggers! His eyes are like twin lasers scanning the vehicle - and us!
“Be patient - he might roar for us.”
What are we doing here? The lion is so near he can be on us with a single jump! The ranger hasn’t even got his gun at the ready! As if that would help. Help!
Suddenly, like a teenager who is trying out his new sound system for the first time, at past full volume!
The lion roars!
Believe me when I tell you. Everyone in the vehicle almost passed out!
What a sound. What volume. The air in your lungs vibrates! The vehicle vibrated