Anthony Bourke - Christian the Lion

The four little cubs padded about, blinking in the sunshine and wrinkling their noses, making tiny mewing noises as they encountered all the new sounds and smells around them.

Their faces were covered in fluffy tawny fur, they were still wobbly on their feet and their paws seemed far too big for their little bodies. But safe in their mother's enclosure at the zoo, the cubs were free to explore their new world. Mum followed her babies around proudly, ready to help them if they tumbled. Her orangey-brown eyes twinkled with joy as she watched her children three girls and a boy running and capering around the cage.

One of them, the male cub, left the others and went back to the safety of his mother's side.

The beautiful lioness, Mary, lay on the ground, twitching her tail flicking it up in the air and then down again. Her son watched, mesmerized, before pouncing and chewing it. After a while he grew tired of playing. He cuddled up to his mother and was soon asleep. His sisters joined him and settled down for a nap.

Their father, Butch, looked on from a distance, handsome and proud, with a large mane that was darker than his silky coat. It was hard to believe that the male cub, curled up next to his mother, would one day grow up to become a powerful and noble beast like his father, feared and respected by animals and humans alike.

But that was a long way off. For now, the new family lay snuggled up together, warm and safe and happy

A few months and hundreds of miles away, shoppers bustled in and out of a grand London department store looking for last-minute Christmas presents. Carols rang out across Harrods many floors and staircases; decorations adorned every surface and lights sparkled all around the building. People rushed around trying to find presents for their friends and families, eager to get home.

They weren't rushing past the exotic animal department, though. A small crowd had gathered there. Children and adults alike were gaping at a cage, not quite able to believe their eyes. There was something wonderful inside

Lion cubs! There were two, and they were the size of small dogs, with mottled, faintly spotted fur. One of them, the girl, looked angry. She pressed herself up against the bars of the cage, baring her teeth and snarling at the unwelcome attention. But her brother was different. Much calmer and quieter, he lay there, staring out past his enraptured audience. It seemed like he was focusing on something in the distance.

Despite the crowds that had gathered round the cage, two friends doing their Christmas shopping almost missed the cubs. Ace, the taller of the two, was fair, while John had long dark hair. They had just moved to London from Australia and were talking excitedly about the presents they planned to send back to their families. Strolling past the cage, chatting away, they completely failed to notice what was going on right beside them.

I've no idea what to get for my mother, John moaned.

Stop whining! Ace told him. Apparently you can buy anything in this store! We'll find something don't panic.

I hopeJohn started.

But at that very moment, both men spotted the cubs, just metres away from them. They stopped dead in their tracks, their mouths dropping open in amazement.

I don't believe it! Ace exclaimed.

Awestruck, John shook his head. Wow! he whispered. You really can buy anything in this shop!

The lions were now playing what looked like a game of tag. They nibbled on each other's ears, then pounced, rolling around in a clumsy jumble of tawny fur. The two men moved closer, crouching down beside the bars and staring in wonder at the beautiful big cats in front of them.

Eventually Ace spoke. It's so sad to see them locked up in this tiny cage. He frowned. I bet they don't even know what Africa looks like.

John was angry too. I can't believe it, he said. That cage is tiny. I wish there was something we could do.

Ace was right. The cubs had never seen their African homeland. They had never lived in the wild with other animals. Born in a zoo in Devon, they had lived happily there for a while, but they had soon all been sold. This brother and sister had been bought by Harrods: at the age of nine weeks they had been separated from their parents and two other sisters and sent to live in London. At least in the zoo they'd had space to move around and explore; but it was obvious, as they wrestled playfully with each other, that something needed to be done about their cramped new home and quickly.

Suddenly the male cub seemed to notice Ace and John watching him and stopped his game. Padding across to the bars of the cage, he fixed his beautiful rust-coloured eyes on each man in turn.

John and Ace gazed right back at him, hypnotized by the cub's huge eyes. Time seemed to stand still.

As the fluffy little lion continued to gaze at them, fascinated, John turned to Ace. I he started. But then he stopped and shook his head. No, it's silly forget it.

Ace looked puzzled. Forget what? Go on -what were you going to say?

It's justJohn paused again.

What?!

Let's buy him.

What? Really?! Ace gasped.

Disturbed by the noise, the lion cub lifted a front paw and patted the side of the cage, making the bars rattle.

The two friends looked down at him again and smiled.

Why not? I just can't bear the thought of him staying here, said John.

Ace looked at him, incredulous. But John held his gaze he clearly meant what he'd said.

After a minute, realizing how determined his friend was, Ace agreed. OK Let's do it! Do you hear that, little fellow? he asked the lion cub excitedly. You're coming with us!

The big cat's eyes were bright. He seemed to be listening to every word they were saying. He knew this was something exciting and was now gazing out at Ace and John, eager to see what would happen next.

Then, glancing around at the Christmas lights and decorations, Ace had an idea. He turned to John. We should call him Christian, he suggested.

Christian John mused. I think I like it Christian.

The cub lifted his head and seemed to nod at them. By now Ace's hand was gripping one of the bars of the cage. Christian stuck out his long tongue and licked it.

John grinned. He likes it too!

Christian it is, then.

John and Ace hovered around near Christian's cage, nervous and excited at the same time. Fortunately they didn't have to wait long before Christian's keeper, Sandy, introduced herself and asked them if they needed any help. She was small and pretty, with brown hair and striking blue eyes. John quickly explained how keen they were to give the little cub a new home.

Well, the female's already been sold but, yes, this one's for sale, she told the two friends. I'll miss him terribly when he's gone he's so gentle and affectionate. She paused and a smile crept over her face. The staff across the way