GOSSIP CORNER — all the news that's barely fit to print.
Leo roared at dawn on Saturday, and the village has questions.
Theory one: it was practice, loud and proper, the kind of roar a lion does to keep his voice in shape. Theory two: it was a greeting, aimed at the sun, the fields, and everyone still in bed. Theory three, from a small boy with jam on his chin: he just felt like it.
Leo himself has said nothing, which is very much his style when a roar has done its work. He was seen later in the morning walking the long way round the fields, unhurried, looking, in the words of one onlooker, "like a lion who has said what he needed to say."
The village confirms the roar was effective, and also that several teacups rattled. Practice or greeting, the dawn was properly announced.