John Burkitt - The Spirit Quest

“You told a lie?”

“In her case, it was the only merciful thing to do.”

Makaka looked puzzled. “What’s Old Number Four?”

Rafiki patted him on the back. “Isha promised to tell me someday--when I’m old enough.”

Makaka was too quick to hurry up the side of Pride Rock. It triggered an asthma attack, and Rafiki nervously rummaged through his medications in the wan light of dusk looking for silver vein mint. He was only sure by the smell, and when he crushed a few leaves and held them under Makaka’s nose, the youth began to settle down and breathe deeply.

“I can carry you back down, but I can’t carry you to the top.”

“Let’s go on up. I can make it.”

With more caution and reserve, Makaka went up the shaft of stone to the tip, followed by Rafiki.

“You need to be more careful,” Rafiki said, taking his seat on the end of the shaft.

Makaka sat next to him. “I’ll try. Well, some of the time.”

“What does that mean?”

“I was just thinking.” Makaka paused for a long time. “You know, it’s like Minshasa told me. I was safer in the village, but I’m happier here.”

“I must admit I’m happier with you here.”

He put an arm around Rafiki. “I love you too.”

As they sat together, the African Sunset came to its climax, the red orb of the sun wavering as it sank below the horizon. Overhead in the afterglow a few stars winked into the purple sky, watching over the land and its peoples. A lioness came and sat next to them quietly. Makaka scooted over to her and slipped his arms around her plush, strong neck. Uzuri touched the child with her warm, pink tongue. Then she looked over at Rafiki. “It’s you I came to see.”

“Me?”

“Yes. Makaka can wait in the cave.” She sent the child away with a gentle pat of her paw, then twitched her head for Rafiki to come closer. “You are tired, honey tree. This world has worn you thin. I can almost see the moonlight through you.”

“We’re none of us getting younger, old girl.”

“How well I know.” Her eyes, old but still alert, met his. “There is not much time between sunrise and sunset. If you would not be caught out after dark, you must leave some time to do all the important things.”

Rafiki put his hand over her paw. “Do not talk of sunsets, my dear. I’ve seen more than my share.”

“Don’t make this harder than it has to be.” Uzuri sighed deeply. “I slipped in the hunt tonight. A hoof nearly caught me in the cheek. For one moment I looked death in the face.”

“Uzuri, dearest!” He gave her paw a squeeze. “You must be more careful. Don’t put a thorn in my heart. You, Makaka, and Misha are the reasons I go on living. You must never die.”

“Someday we all must die, but I have things I need to say before I go. Important things.”

“Is it what I think it is?”

“I hope so.” She touched him with her warm tongue and looked penetratingly into his eyes. “I love you, Rafiki.”

“Oh Uzuri!” Tears of joy began to stream down his face. He reached out and fondled her strong, soft neck and felt the gentle rhythm of her heart. “I love you too.”

THE END: THE SPIRIT QUEST

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 Spirit Quest" 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:

David A. Morris:damorris@wilmington.net

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

Your comments on our work, pro and con, are always welcome.

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. Without acting as clear models for any one character, many great souls, some non-human, have been woven deeply into the fabric of our lives only to end up in “The Spirit Quest.”