A Chick in the Cockpit (27 page)

LEARNING TO PLAY WITH A LION'S TESTICLES

By Melissa Haynes

The cheeky title of Melissa Haynes's story of adventure in Africa, and earned some big publicity on
NBC-TV/Late Night with Jimmy Fallon
and
Ellen Show
.

Playing with a lion's testicles: An African saying that means to take foolhardy chances.

For the reader who has ever dreamed of going to Africa or knows the pain of loss and guilt,
Learning to Play with a Lion's Testicles
will fill your soul.

Melissa, an exhausted executive from the city seeks meaning and purpose from her work volunteers for a Big Five conservation project in South Africa. Her boss, an over-zealous ranger, nicknamed the Drill Sergeant, has no patience for city folk, especially if they're women. He tries to send her packing on day one, but Melissa stands her ground with grit and determination, however shaky it may be.

Conflict soon sets the pace with a cast filled with predatory cats and violent elephants, an on-going battle of wits with the Drill Sergeant. Even Mother Nature pounds the reserve with the worst storm in a century. But the most enduring and profound conflict is the internal battle going on within Melissa, as she tries to come to terms with the guilt surrounding her mother's death. When death grips the game reserve, it is the very animals Melissa has come to save that end up saving her.