The Lion Tamer

Photo: E Cooper

There was loud cheering and applause in the circus tent.

The lion tamer closed the cage door behind her and turned to the audience - they were captivated by her.

‘Thank you! Thank you!’ she shouted. ‘You are too kind.’

She adjusted her red waistcoat and black britches and lightly cracked her whip.

‘I expect that it surprised you to see a slip of a girl like me keeping these huge male lions under control. Perhaps you were frightened when I put my head into Boris's massive jaws. He's the biggest of the big!’ She let out a laugh. The audience laughed, too.

‘But you shouldn’t be surprised at all. Nowadays, doesn’t discipline triumph over barbarism? Don’t reason and scientific understanding have the upper hand over the fierce desires of wild beasts?

‘Indeed, I guarantee you that you could walk through a parkland of lions such as mine without danger – even at night. You would be safe because of the good behaviour and decorum I taught them when they were only cubs …’

The cheers of the audience interrupted her briefly. They were so delighted.

‘... and you’d have no need for the strong arms of God which delivered Daniel alive from the lions’ den. Did you notice that my name is Daniella?’

Laughter was heard here and there.

‘But, ladies and gentlemen, don’t take my word for it. I’ll put my theory to the test!’

Daniella turned on her heel and gave a wave to someone who was hidden behind the curtains. He pushed a button on his computer and the walls of the steel safety cage began to rise into the air like a helicopter towards the ceiling of the tent, removing the only defence separating the crowd from the lions.