My black claws dig into the dry ground. I’m too excited, I must relax. I slowly lower my body under the horizon of the tall, brown grass. I must stay low. I creep forward, stalking. My tummy grumbles. My heart beat races.

There she stands, proud of her black and white stripes. Look at her, she’s confident, and bobbing her long head with enthusiasm. Her tail flicks back and forth. I move in closer. My tan coat blends into the grass. The heat floating off the surface of ground helps conceal me further.

At last, I’m close. I dig my claws into the dirt and charge. My eyes stay locked on her, her body lowers and lunges forward. Her black hooves dig and kick dirt towards me as I commence the chase. She zips left, then darts right trying to trick me. I will never lose her. I’m too hungry. I seriously need to eat.

I’m getting so close now. I leap and my black claws latch onto her striped hide. I pull her to the ground. Our bodies fall to the earth. Clouds of dust bolt up into the air. When it settles, you can see my jaw locked onto her neck. I squeeze my mouth shut the best I can. She must not escape, if she does I do not eat. My long whiskers can feel her breath fading, until there’s nothing. Victory!

My blood in my veins flows at the speed of sound. To bring her down has taken everything out of me. I stand over my trophy and my meal. But wait, I hear the cackles and whimpers of my sworn enemy. One by one they surround me. They nip at my heels, trying to chase me away. I swat at them with my big paws.

Slowly they grow in numbers. I’m defenseless all alone. My family, my pack no where in sight. I pose up opposition showing my teeth and the deepest roars I can muster at the current time. It slowly becomes just useless. All my efforts have gone to waste just like a raindrop falling into the sea. I walk away empty handed. They mock me with laughter as I head back into the deep grassy plains. I’m hungry, always hungry. Hungry and alone.