George was a game warden (猎物繁殖和保护区的管理员) in Kenya. One day, he found three tiny lions beside a dead lioness. They were so little that their eyes had not yet opened. Sadly, he took the three little lions and drove back home.
When George got out of the car with the baby lions, his wife Joy Adamson immediately took over. Joy had cared for many young animals over the years, but she had never tried to raise baby lions! However, she was determined to save these babies.
The lions grew rapidly. But as the lion grew bigger and stronger, Joy and George realized they could not keep three large lions. They decided to present two of the lions to a zoo; they would keep the smallest lion, which they named Elsa.
Joy and George taught Elsa to hunt and to protect herself. Elsa liked to play with her human friends, but as Elsa grew to her adult size, this play became dangerous. More than once, Elsa knocked Joy to the ground, scratching (抓伤) her. Joy and George both realized that it was time to find Elsa a new home. They knew she needed a wild home where she could live the life she was born to lead. Finally, Joy and George decided to set Elsa free in Meru Park at the foot of Mt. Kenya.
Elsa never forgot Joy and George. Whenever they camped nearby, Elsa would come to visit, rubbing her head against their legs in greeting.
Joy missed Elsa, but was happy that she had made a successful life as a wild lion. Joy wrote a book about Elsa,Born Free, which became an international bestseller. Joy traveled all over the world, talking about the importance of saving the wild animals of the world.
Joy lived out her life in Africa, working with wild animals. She wrote more books about her experiences. Her heart felt interest in animals and her great love for Elsa helped inspire (激发) a worldwide movement to protect wildlife. For Joy Adamson, there was no greater gift than the beauty and spirit of wild animals, living free.
