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The Wild Life of Christian the Lion

Can a lion born in a cage ever learn to be free?

By Tod Olson

From the September 2019 Issue

Learning Objective: In this narrative nonfiction article, students will learn how a lion raised in captivity was set free in the wild. Readers will identify text features and explain how each helps them understand the story.

Lexiles: Beginner, 500L-600L, 600L-700L, 800L-900L

Guided Reading Level: M

DRA Level: 20

Featured Skill: Text Features,

Think and Read: Text Features

As you read, look for different kinds of text features. Think about what you learn from them.

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Gulp!

Christian uses the toilet as his water bowl. (It does seem to be the perfect height for a lion!)

The lion cub had spent his whole life in a cage. He was born in a zoo. Then he was sold to a fancy store in London, England, that sold animals.

It was December 1969. The poor cub was put on display in the store. He was stuck between the kittens and the sheepdogs. The lion’s future seemed quite grim.

Then two young men named Ace Bourke and John Rendall walked into the store. They saw the lion cub trapped in a small cage.

Buying a lion cub was probably the last thing the men thought they would do. They had just graduated from college and were living and working in a furniture store.

But after they got home, Ace and John kept thinking about the cub. They decided to put together all the money they had. It was equal to $6,500 today! They went back to the store and bought the little lion. They named him Christian.

One day almost 40 years ago, two men named Ace and John went to a fancy store. They saw a baby lion living in a cage. The lion was for sale, but the men had no plans to buy the animal.

Ace and John went back to their home. They lived in the furniture store where they worked. It was in the city of London, England.

They couldn't stop thinking about the little lion. So they put all their money together and bought him. They named him Christian.

The lion cub had spent his whole life in a cage. He was born in a zoo. Then he was sold to a fancy store in London, England. The store sold animals.

It was December 1969. The poor cub was put in a cage for everyone to see. He was stuck between the kittens and the sheepdogs. It didn’t seem like the lion would have a good life in the store.

One day, two men named Ace and John came to the store. They saw the lion cub. They probably never thought they would buy a lion cub. The men had just finished college. They were living and working in a furniture store.

But after they got home, Ace and John kept thinking about the cub. They decided to put together all of their money. It was equal to $6,500 today! Then they went back to the store. They bought the little lion. They named him Christian.

The lion cub had spent his life in a cage. He’d been born in a zoo in England. Two of his sisters had been sold to a circus, and he had been sold to a London department store called Harrods. Now, in November 1969, the little cub was for sale again. He was put on display in the store, between the kittens and the sheepdogs. The little lion’s future looked grim.

Then two young men—Ace Bourke and John Rendall—walked into Harrods and saw the lion cub trapped in a small cage. Buying a lion cub was probably the last thing they imagined doing. They had just graduated from college and were living in a small apartment above the furniture store where they worked.

But even after they got home, Ace and John couldn’t stop thinking about the cub. They scraped together all the money they could—which would equal about $6,500 today. They went back to the store and bought the cub. The two men had already decided on a name for him: Christian.

PAUSE AND THINK: Where was Christian living when the men bought him?

Furniture Store Lion

Christian was a 30-pound ball of fluff when he moved into the basement of the furniture store. He quickly made himself at home. He hid behind desks and chairs and then leaped out to play. He climbed on Ace’s and John’s laps while they tried to talk on the phone. People flocked to the shop to see the furniture store lion. A radio host tried to get Christian to roar into a microphone. Christian began chewing up the wires instead.

Growing Up

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Fast Friends

Christian checks out London on a car ride with Ace and John.

Christian was a 30-pound ball of fluff when he moved into the furniture store. He quickly felt at home.

He hid behind chairs, then jumped out to play. He climbed on Ace’s and John’s laps while they talked on the phone. People came to the shop just to see the lion.

By April, Christian was 130 pounds. He was strong. He was also gentle. But Ace and John knew he would grow to be a 500-pound predator with sharp teeth and claws.

In the wild, lions prowl in grasslands and forests. A shop in London was no place for Christian. But where could he go? The men didn’t know. They just knew they couldn’t put the lion they loved back in a zoo.

Christian only weighed 30 pounds. He had fun living in the furniture store. He was gentle with the men. People came to the shop just to see the lion.

But Christian grew fast. Ace and John knew the lion would soon be a 500-pound predator. He’d have sharp teeth and claws.

Ace and John realized that a shop in London wasn’t the right place for Christian. But neither was a zoo. So where could he go? The men didn’t know.

Christian was a 30-pound ball of fluff when he moved in with the men. He felt at home in the furniture store.

He hid behind chairs, then jumped out to play. He climbed on the men’s laps while they talked on the phone. People came to the shop just to see the lion.

By April, Christian was 130 pounds. He was strong. He was also gentle. But Ace and John knew he would grow to be a 500-pound predator. He’d have sharp teeth and claws.

In the wild, lions prowl in grasslands and forests. A shop in London wasn’t the right place for Christian. But where could he go? The men didn’t know. They just knew they couldn’t put the lion they loved back in a zoo.

By April, the fluff ball had grown into 130 pounds of sheer muscle. He was still gentle. But eventually, he would turn into a 500-pound predator with razor-sharp claws and 4-inch-long fangs. In the wild, lions prowl thousands of acres of grassland and forest. London was no place for Christian.

But where could he go?

“We knew we couldn’t betray him by putting him in a zoo,” John recalled later.

Ace and John were growing desperate. Then one day, two surprise visitors walked into the furniture store. Bill Travers and Virginia McKenna were actors who had starred in a popular wildlife movie called Born Free. The movie told the true story of a lion cub named Elsa. She had been living in the wilds of the African country of Kenya when her mother was shot and killed. She was saved by a couple named Joy and George Adamson, who raised Elsa and then successfully released her back into the wild.

The actors Travers and McKenna contacted George Adamson, who was still living in Kenya. Adamson agreed to help Christian become free.

PAUSE AND THINK: What problem with Christian did the men need to solve?

Surprise Visitors

One day, two people came to the furniture store. They were actors who had starred in a popular movie called Born Free.

The movie was the true story of a lion cub named Elsa. She was an orphan. She was saved by a couple named Joy and George. They raised Elsa for years. Then they set her free in the wild. Ace and John wondered: Could they do the same thing for Christian?

The actors contacted George. He was still living in Kenya. That is the country in Africa where he had found Elsa. He agreed to help set Christian free there.

One day, two people came to the store. They were actors. They had starred in a movie called Born Free.

The actors found George. He was still living in Kenya. That is the country in Africa where he had found Elsa. He said he would help set Christian free there.

PAUSE AND THINK: What could George do for Christian?

Going Wild

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Just Playing

Christian loved kids and was always gentle. But Ace and John feared that as he grew, he could accidentally hurt someone.

About eight months after Ace and John first brought Christian home, they took him to Kenya. But setting Christian free wasn’t easy.

Animals raised in captivity—in zoos, cages, or homes—don’t have the skills they need to stay alive in the wild. Christian had never lived among lions. He had never hunted for food. How would he survive?

But George had a plan. A small group of lions lived at his camp. George hoped Christian would bond with them. He hoped Christian would form his own pride, or group. The group could then go into the wild together.

At first, Christian wanted to stay with Ace and John. But he soon made friends with the other lions. Ace and John knew they could leave him.

The goodbye was heartbreaking for the men. As they drove away, Christian chased after their truck. This made leaving him even more difficult.

One day, two people came to the store. They knew a man named George who had set a lion free in Africa. Ace and John wondered if George could do the same thing for Christian.

George said he could. So Ace and John brought Christian to Africa. But Christian had never learned to do the things that lions in the wild can do. He had never hunted for his own food. He had never lived with other lions. How would he survive?

George had a plan. A group of lions lived at his camp. George hoped Christian would become close with them. The group could then go into the wild together.

At first, Christian wanted to stay with Ace and John. But he soon made friends with the lions. Ace and John knew it was safe to leave Christian.

Saying goodbye was very sad. As they drove away, Christian chased after their truck. This made leaving him even harder.

About eight months after Ace and John first brought Christian home, they took him to Kenya. But setting Christian free wasn’t easy.

If an animal is raised in a zoo or a home, it doesn’t have the skills they need to stay alive in the wild. Christian had never lived among lions. He had never hunted for food. How would he survive?

But George had a plan. A small group of lions lived at his camp. George hoped Christian would become close with them. He hoped the lion would form his own pride, or group. The group could then go into the wild together.

At first, Christian wanted to stay with Ace and John. But he soon made friends with the other lions. Ace and John knew they could leave him.

The goodbye was very sad for the men. As they drove away, Christian chased after their truck. This made leaving him even more difficult.

In August 1970, Ace, John, and Christian arrived at Adamson’s camp in the Kora region of Kenya. The plan was to release Christian into the wild. But it wasn’t so simple. Animals raised in captivity don’t have the skills to survive in the wild. Christian had never lived among lions. He had never hunted for food.

Luckily, Adamson had an idea. He would introduce Christian to other captive lions at the camp. Adamson hoped Christian would bond with them and form his own pride, or group. Christian and his pride would then be encouraged to venture into the wild together, to learn to stalk prey and fend for themselves.

At first, Christian wanted to sleep on Ace’s and John’s cots. But he gradually befriended the other lions. In a few weeks, they were roaming all day. And soon it was clear that Ace and John could leave him.

The goodbye was heartbreaking for John and Ace. Christian chased after their truck as they drove away. They flew back to London feeling like they’d abandoned their best friend. Adamson assured them that Christian was thriving, that he and his new pride were spending more and more time away from camp. But John and Ace wanted to see for themselves.

PAUSE AND THINK: What happened when Christian met George’s lions?

Together Again

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All Grown Up

Full-grown, Christian weighed nearly 500 pounds. He would soon lead a pride of his own and live free in the wild.

The next year, the men returned to Kenya to visit Christian. He was now 300 pounds and 6 feet long. Would he even recognize them?

Ace and John called out to Christian. When he heard the men’s voices, he put his paws on Ace’s shoulders. Then he reached over to John and pulled him in too.

It was clear: This wild creature was hugging the men who had raised him!

When it was time to say goodbye to Christian again, Ace and John cried. They knew they would always miss the lion. But as their plane took off, they saw Christian and his new family on top of a rocky hill.

Christian was now free to prowl the wild, just as he was meant to do. And he would never see the inside of a cage again.

The next year, the men visited Christian. He was 300 pounds. He was 6 feet long. The men didn’t know whether Christian would remember them.

But he did! When Ace and John called out to Christian, the lion put his paws on Ace’s shoulders. Then he reached over to John and pulled him in too. He was hugging them!

When Ace and John said goodbye to Christian again, they cried. They would miss the lion forever. But they knew he would be happy in the wild. And he would never live in a cage again.

The next year, the men returned to Kenya to visit Christian. He was now 300 pounds. He was 6 feet long. Would he even recognize them?

Ace and John called out to Christian. When he heard the men’s voices, he put his paws on Ace’s shoulders. Then he reached over to John and pulled him in too.

It was clear: This wild creature was hugging the men. He remembered them!

Christian was now free to prowl the wild, just as he was meant to do. And he would never live in a cage again.

Ten months later, in July 1971, they returned to Kenya. With Adamson’s help, they found Christian not far from camp. They watched Christian from a distance, marveling at how he had grown. He was now 300 pounds, and 6 feet long from his hind legs to his head. Would he recognize them?

When Christian spotted the men, he began to creep slowly toward them. Ace and John called out to Christian. At the sound of their voices, Christian started to rush to them.

Most people would be terrified to see a huge lion charging at them. But Ace and John were thrilled. When Christian reached them, he reared up on his hind legs. He flung his paws over Ace’s shoulders and rubbed his mane against Ace’s head. Then he reached over to John and pulled him in—a half-wild lion hugging the humans who had raised him.

Ace and John cried when they left. They knew they would always miss Christian. But as their plane took off, they saw Christian and his new family perched on top of a rocky hill. Christian was free to roam the wild like his ancestors. He would never see the inside of a cage again.

PAUSE AND THINK: What was Christian’s reaction when he saw Ace and John?

PAUSE AND THINK: What did Christian do when he saw Ace and John?

THINK AND WRITE

Select one photo from the story. In a well-organized paragraph, explain what is interesting about this text feature and how it helps you understand the story. Be sure to include details from the article. Send it to “Lion Contest” by October 15, 2019. Five winners will each receive a copy of Who Would Win? Lion vs. Tiger by Jerry Pallotta. See our Contest Page for details.

THINK AND WRITE

video (1)

Slideshows (2)

Audio ()

Activities (8)

Quizzes (2)

Answer Key (1)

video (1)

Slideshows (2)

Audio ()

Activities (8)

Download All Quizzes and Skill Builders

Quizzes (2)

Answer Key (1)

Can't Miss Teaching Extras

Watch This

Your students might be surprised to hear that lions aren’t born knowing how to roar. Check out this 1-minute video of an adorable lion cub trying to roar—too cute!

Check It Out

For a fun compare and contrast activity, share this helpful article that explains how lions and pet cats have more in common than we think.

Fun Fact

The London department store where the men bought Christian was Harrod’s. They opened their pet department in 1917 and sold animals until most of them were outlawed by the 1976 Endangered Species Act. You’ll find more background here.

Check It Out

Teach your students more about Born Free USA, which campaigns to protect wild animals and wild places and works to ensure every individual animal is treated with compassion and respect. You can see their work here--be sure to check out the monkeys in their Texas primate sanctuary. Born Free USA is also on Twitter, Facebook and Instagram!

Watch This

George Adamson is a small part of our article, but a big part of the story. Get to know this unique man in this 5-minute clip filled with images that explain why he was nicknamed “Father of Lions.”

Content-Area Connections

Science: Animal behavior, ecology, environment, geography

Social-emotional learning: Responsible decision-making (identifying problems, solving problems, evaluating, ethical responsibility); relationship skills (teamwork)

Key Skills

Text features, drawing conclusions, main idea, key details, making inferences

1. PREPARING TO READ

Watch a Video/Preview Text Features (25 minutes)

This story is accompanied by a Video Read-Aloud. Exciting photos and footage bring to life the story of Christian the lion and help students imagine his life in captivity and in the wild. The video can be used as a “first read” as a way to build background knowledge.

Look at pages 4 and 5 with the class. Direct students to the title, subtitle, photograph, and caption. Ask what they might learn by reading the story. What important facts does the subtitle tell you about Christian the lion? Look at the photograph on page 4. How do you think the young lion feels in the photo?

Read aloud the text in the upper left-hand corner of page 4. Then direct students to the poem on page 32. Read aloud the title with the class. Point out that the poem uses words and a photo to help you picture how lions live in the wild.

Point to the photos and captions on the next two spreads. Read aloud the title and caption of each one with the class. Ask volunteers to explain what Christian is doing in each picture. Ask them to compare and contrast the lion’s appearance in the photos on pages 4 and 9.

Explain that in the photos on pages 4, 6, and 7, Christian lives in London, the capital of the United Kingdom. In the photos on pages 8 and 9, he lives in Kenya, the country in Africa where he was set free. Point to London and Kenya on a classroom map. Help students use a compass rose to identify the route that Christian traveled on a plane from London to Kenya.

Introduce Vocabulary (15 minutes)

We have highlighted in bold six words that may be challenging and defined them on the page. Preview these words by projecting or distributing our Vocabulary Skill Builder and completing it as a class. You may also play our Vocabulary Slideshow.

Highlighted terms: grim, predator, prowl, orphan, captivity, recognize

Set a Purpose for Reading (5 minutes)

Call on volunteers to read aloud the Think and Read and Think and Write boxes on pages 5 and 9. These support the story’s featured skill, text features. Ask students to pay special attention to the text features in the article and identify ones that help them understand what happened to Christian in London and in Kenya.

2. CLOSE READING

Reading and Unpacking the Text

First read: Read the story as a class. Use the Pause and Think questions at the end of each section to check comprehension.

Second read: Distribute Close-Reading and Critical-Thinking Questions to the class. Preview them together. Ask students to reread the article and answer the questions as a class or in small groups. (These questions are now available in Google Forms , so students can type in their answers and send them to you.)

Close-Reading Questions (30 minutes)

Read the first section. Why do you think Ace and John decided to buy the lion cub? (drawing conclusions) They saw him trapped in a small cage in a store. They were worried about what might happen to him after he was sold again.

Read “Growing Up.” How did Christian behave in his new home in the furniture store? (key details) He hid behind chairs and then jumped out to play. He climbed on Ace’s and John’s laps when they were on the phone. He was strong but gentle.

How do the photos and captions on page 6 help you understand Christian’s life in London? (text features) These show how Christian was both inside the store and riding around London with Ace and John. His life was different from most lions’. How does the photo and caption on page 7 help you understand Christian’s personality? The photo shows how gentle he was with kids.

Read “Going Wild.” Why would living in the wild be difficult for Christian? (main idea) He didn’t live with other lions or hunt for food.

Why do you think Christian chased after Ace’s and John’s truck as they drove away? (making inferences) Christian loved them and didn’t want the men to leave him.

Read “Together Again.” What does Christian’s reaction to Ace and John show about his feelings toward them? (drawing conclusions) He still remembers and loves them.

Critical-Thinking Question (10 minutes)

Think about the subtitle on page 5 and the photos on pages 8 and 9. What question does the subtitle ask? How do the photos help you answer this question? (text features) The subtitle asks whether a lion born in a cage can ever learn to be free. The photographs on page 8 show Christian meeting up with Ace and John when they return to Kenya. The photo on page 9 shows that Christian has learned to live in the wild.

3. SKILL BUILDING

Distribute our Text Features Skill Builder. Have students work in pairs to complete it.

Discuss the writing assignment in the Think and Write box on page 9. Tell students to look at the text features in the story for examples to include in their poster. Students can complete their paragraphs in class or as homework.

Differentiate and Customize

For Second-Graders

Reread the second paragraph on page 6 while students follow along. Write the present- and past-tense form of each verb on the board. Which past- tense verbs end in –ed? Which past-tense verbs are formed by changing the spelling of the present-tense verb?

For Independent Readers

Have students reread the article silently and study the photos and captions. Ask them to write titles and captions for the two photos on page 8. Students can share their captions in small groups.

For Struggling Readers

Read aloud the lower-Lexile version of the article as students follow along. Call on volunteers to describe what is happening in each photo. Have them identify their favorite photo and provide reasons for their choice.

For Advanced Readers

Ask students to write a journal entry in which either Ace or John talks about his feelings after visiting Christian. Students can refer to the photos on page 8 for details to include in their writing. Ask them to read aloud their journal entries in small groups.

Text-to-Speech

The Wild Life of Christian the Lion

More About the Article

Content-Area Connections

Science: Animal behavior, ecology, environment, geography

Social-emotional learning: Responsible decision-making (identifying problems, solving problems, evaluating, ethical responsibility); relationship skills (teamwork)

Key Skills

Text features, drawing conclusions, main idea, key details, making inferences

1. PREPARING TO READ

2. CLOSE READING

3. SKILL BUILDING

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The Wild Life of Christian the Lion

More About the Article

Content-Area Connections

Science: Animal behavior, ecology, environment, geography Social-emotional learning: Responsible decision-making (identifying problems, solving problems, evaluating, ethical responsibility); relationship skills (teamwork)

Key Skills

Text features, drawing conclusions, main idea, key details, making inferences

1. PREPARING TO READ

2. CLOSE READING

3. SKILL BUILDING

Help/Support

Help/Support

About Us

Subscriber Information

Connect with Us

Science: Animal behavior, ecology, environment, geography

Social-emotional learning: Responsible decision-making (identifying problems, solving problems, evaluating, ethical responsibility); relationship skills (teamwork)