Not based on true events

There was a very amusing animal in Northentity the other day, an animal with a twinkle in its eye and a bounce in its bound, and a rather cheerful outlook on life. And the name of the animal was Phil, and his company was generally appreciated. Unfortunately, upon the day of which I speak, it was not. No, not at all, not when it was a funeral day for the lions of the area. I am afraid that a female from the pride had received a rather nasty kick from a frightened gazelle during the hunt, and she had expired from this wound during the night. Now, all her companions, family and friends stood in a sombre circle about her and wept throaty wails. But even as they did so, what should sound but a chuckle from without the circle and before any could stop him, Phil had pushed his way through it and looked upon the lioness. “Well, well, well!” exclaimed he, “That lioness will be giving the gazelle no more trouble, I warrant. I should tell him that.” And he burst into a warble of laughter. The leader of the pride immediately shot a most severe glance at the undignified intruder who only cried out: “ I should tell his calves that too!” And the cheeky culprit fell down and rolled about in a shriek of merriment, and pounded the floor and kicked the air with his paws, much like an insane dog. By this time, all composure was loosening in the grassy funeral parlour. One lioness whispered to another: “ I don’t see what’s so funny.” The reply was most unfortunate: “I don’t think the fool knows himself.” The first lioness immediately stifled a laugh. The other, though, looked most severely at her and asked what was the matter with her, and pointed out that she was no longer a cub and should control herself. “ I am trying, I am trying,” said the poor lioness in a muffled tone, for she had her paw before her mouth. Very soon, though, she had two paws before her mouth, for, the leader had most unwisely attempted to bat the gaily hollering Phil from the ring, only to make the silly critter cry in laughter all the louder. Finally, the lion lost all patience and pounced upon the intruder, only to feel Phil’s naughty paw pads tickling his own enormous belly.

To be continued...