John Burkitt - The Leonid Saga

Makaka came to his mother and hugged her neck. “I’m so sorry I didn’t do this before! I’m so sorry!”

“Don’t be. I died the best way a lioness could go. Full of years, surrounded by love, and free from pain and fear.” She kissed him, then looked over and kissed Rafiki. “I am so proud of you, my son! We both are.”

Makaka looked at Mano and Minshasa. “Will I have to wander all the time like you? Will I have no home of my own?”

Mano smiled. “Now every place is your home, this as much as anywhere else. Time and space will not bind you. Whom you will see, you will see. Whom you will love, you will love. Where you will go, you will go. I have not taken your home. I have given you your home.”

Makaka smiled. As the realization dawned on him, he trembled. “Uzuri, you will always be my mother. But there is someone I have always wondered about.”

Uzuri smiled. “I have always wondered about her too. She came with us. Healing must come to everyone, including the physician.”

The final guest stepped out, a female mandrill. “When I look at you in your glory, I feel honored to have given my life to bring you yours.”

Makaka bit his lip and tears streamed down his face. “Mother.” Quickly, he looked at Uzuri and ran to her, hugging her tightly. “Don’t feel bad, Mom! I’ll always love you as much as I ever have—more even!”

The old mandrill came and also put her arms around Uzuri, stroking her face and neck. “You are among friends. There is no jealousy among the Nisei. We are both your mother, and we always will be.”

Busara put his arm around Rafiki’s shoulder, and Mano nuzzled Minshasa. Ugas came and rubbed full length against Uzuri, and Anasa slipped her hand into Makaka’s, giving it a little squeeze. Kinara and Neema embraced and smiled. Now Makaka stood at the boundary of the Gentle Kingdom, and in the distance, the soft, kind voice of Aiheu called to him. “Dwell in my lands, child. Come to know me better.”

“Even so, Lord. I come!”

THE END: THE LEONID SAGA

This original copyrighted work is based on Walt Disney's feature film, "The Lion King." Elements taken directly from “The Lion King” are the property of The Walt Disney Company. "The Leonid Saga" is distributed free of charge excepting reasonable distribution costs. Quoting passages from our work, writing original pieces based on our work, or using characters we created is fine as long as you secure prior approval. That begins by sending either of us a copy of the work. Our e-mail addresses are:

John H. Burkitt: john.burkitt@nashville.com

David A. Morris:damorris@wilmington.net

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This story is a fictional work, but we don’t claim that any resemblance to any characters living or dead is purely coincidental. With love and respect, we acknowledge the debt we owe to those who taught us how to laugh and cry.