Lions are some of the most intriguing creatures that walk the face of the earth. A full grown male weighs a minimum of 400 pounds and may be as long as 10 feet. Unlike the domestic house cat, it has been said that when a lion roars, everything in the jungle halts and stands at attention. The lion is roaring in our community today and the question is what will we do?

Even in battle it is important to remember that we have options. We can either fight courageously with all that we have, or we can submit and die. The battle at Kruger National Park in South Africa shows the struggle of a water buffalo herd to save a calf. It began with a buffalo father, mother, and child peacefully meandering ahead of the herd, unaware of a pride of lions that was stalking them with the intent to attack. Sensing the danger a little too late, the water buffalo family, along with the rest of the herd, immediately turned to flee. However, the calf could not keep up and became easy prey for the hungry pride of lions. The lions lunged and overpowered the most vulnerable member of the family, and accidentally tumbled into the water.

All of a sudden, the entire water buffalo herd, that initially ran away, returned to rescue the small calf. Suddenly, one buffalo, which I believe must have been the calf’s father, began to use his horns to attack a lion. The attack became infectious and soon others within the herd attacked the pride as well. Although the calf was weak he found the strength to stand as his herd fought on his behalf. The herd surrounded the feeble calf and escorted him to safety.

Now, if a herd of water buffalo can collectively fight a ferocious lion pride for one calf, we must ask ourselves, where is our herd of parents, community leaders, and religious leaders as our children have become vulnerable prey? There are several lessons on how to respond to crisis that we can learn from the water buffalo. First, we must protect our future by protecting the most vulnerable members of our community, our children. Secondly, it takes more than a father and mother to protect a child; instead it takes an entire community.

Thirdly, we have to make the decision to take action on behalf of our children. It only takes one person to ignite a movement.

Our children are worth fighting for. The only way for us to save our children and the next generation is for us to stand together as an entire community.