This is a story for animal lovers. Part fantasy, part fact, the story takes place in South Africa, it chronicles the journey of an adult male lion and his odd pride members. The lion is hit by a car. The resulting blow to his head has erased his prey drive. The couple who hit him, Bob and Sarah Aimtree are determined to rehabilitate him and return him to the wild. Malcolm Curry, their veterinarian concocts several schemes to jump start the animal's prey drive. Save for one episode, involving spotted hyenas, the plans fail. Samantha Von Berg, a five year old, is besotted by the enormous cat and names him Rollo.
The blow to Rollo's head has done more than affect his prey drive. He purrs, something lions don't normally do. Unbeknownst to his human caregivers, Rollo also has a voice. His interpretation of their schemes is very different from the human's expectations. He can't understand why a small calf, Arabella, is put into his paddock. He has no idea that he is supposed to eat her. When Tumaini, an orphaned elephant arrives at the Aimtree Ranch, Rollo is aghast to find the baby living with him. The elephant is messy, loud and requires human care around the clock. When Tumaini leaves to rejoin his herd, Rollo hopes for peace and quiet.
One blistering afternoon, an old sick lion collapses in the driveway. The humans do their best to help him. Rollo is delighted to have another lion as a pride member but knows Clancy is dying.
When the old fellow dies, a grown Tumaini and his elephant friends visit to comfort Rollo and the Aimtrees. This pattern continues for months. One night, Rollo scents them and goes to the river path to greet them. He's ambushed by hyenas and is rescued by his giant friends. It cements Rollo's hatred of the carrion eaters.
One day, after Rollo's wounds are healed, Malcolm asks Sarah to care for a badly injured striped hyena cub. Rollo is beyond angry. One night, he slips onto to the stoep to dispatch the howling youngster. Confronting Nalangu, he learns about compassion, friendship and love.
