OK, so you know that scene in Tangled when Rapunzel busts out of her tower prison and feels grass on her bare feet for the first time? Now imagine that scene, except a hundred times sadder and a hundred percent more real. If there were ever a case against the harsh treatment of circus animals, it's this video of a captive lion being released from his cage and rolling in the grass for the first time in 13 years. His happiness over something so simple and natural will snap your heart in two.
The lion's name is Will, and not only is it his first time rolling in the grass, it's his first time ever feeling it. For his entire life he has been performing with a traveling circus, and has only felt metal under his feet. Old in age for a lion, most of his life has been spent caged, prior to being rescued and sent to Rancho dos Gnomos Santuário in Brazil to live out the rest of his days. Upon his release, he immediately celebrated by rubbing his happy self all over the ground, savoring the feeling of the actual earth underneath him.
Just look at this happy critter:
The great escape
He's READY for this.
The dust bowl
Can you imagine not having any idea what dirt feels like?
The romp around
He is the happiest creature who ever lived, and he deserves every grassy, mucky, dirt-filled second of it. Here's the full video of him shaking his groove thing all over his brand new home:
Images: Getty Images; YouTube(3)
