Byron

The chronicles of Byron, Ambassador Prince.

I remember the early days. The cuddling, the play and the bond of brotherhood. I don’t remember ever thinking that I was destined for greatness, destined to be a prince amongst a royal race. I don’t remember it, but I realise it now.

My brothers - Joseph and Kaya – and I were born at a place dedicated to ensuring the survival of our unique species. From here, we were taken to another place working towards our protection, but in the rough and tumble of cub life we never realised the significance of our move to Cheetah Outreach. Nor, for that matter, did we realise the significant role that we would play in the continued survival of our kind.
Instead, we carried on with life, wrestling with each other, testing our strength and speed, loving each other and loving life. A far cry from the noble poise to which we would grow, we were more like graceless clowns clad in a coat of spots. Clumsy, boisterous and full of the joy of youth.
But then came the time when we had to take up the collar of responsibility. It would be our task, mine especially, to see to it that our kind remains in existence alongside the human species.
Knowing that our task would not be an easy one, the special humans around us began early with the rigorous training that would equip us for success. Of course we weren’t always the most willing trainees, and more often than not, I’m sure, we acted like spoilt, royal brats. Not yet comprehending the task that lay ahead, we only wanted to resume the brotherly games that we loved so much. Gradually, though, we came to relish the strange sounds that our presence elicited from a gathering of humans. We could almost see sense in putting on a show for these beings.
It didn’t take me long to notice that these strange sounds were an indication of awe, amazement and intense feeling, and that it was me that caused these sounds. With this, I also realised that my presence alone has the power to bring humans to love my kind. We’d follow our humans and the little snake attached to our royal collar of responsibility. We’d sit on the raised throne that they placed before of us, and we’d alternate between glaring at them with that sense of royal presence that emanates naturally, or just lying languidly in front of them, secure in the knowledge that we are beloved amongst these beasts on two legs.
Life was good, and then it was shattered. She took me away from my brothers. That was bad. But even worse, she told me of the harsh reality faced by my kind. She laid out the bare bones of the truth and told me that I would be the one who would have to change this. I was responsible for saving my kind. I was the one who would have to show humans the beauty, grace and value inherent in my species, the cheetah.
How I wished I could hate her, this awkward, two legged human female who had torn my idyll asunder. I tried to distance myself from her in the back of the rumbling shaking carriage that was taking me towards a destiny I wanted no part of. I sulked in the corner, throwing a right royal tantrum.
She waited, however.
And waited.
And waited.
And I looked at her and I saw that this was my human, that she adored me. I knew then that she had been sent to guide me on my path to greatness, to help make me into Prince Byron, ambassador for my kind to the nation of humans.
So I came to her. I placed myself, my life and my trust in her hands. Laying my head on her lap, I made Marilyn Hull my human, and together we will save my species.