John Burkitt - Chronicles of the Pride Lands

Each moon, Simba would make a sacrifice to Aiheu and pray that the gods would permit him a little more time. Just why he did this, and how long he expected to keep it up he would not say.

Finally, when Zazu came flying in excitedly with news from outside the kingdom, Simba called the whole Pride together from the oldest to the youngest. “It’s happening! ”

“What’s happening??” Sarafina asked

“You’ll see! ”

Isha came out to see what the commotion was about. Simba nuzzled her warmly. “Isha, I want you, Mabatu and Miss Priss to come with me. We’re having a Pride Moot at the eastern meadow. And your family will sit by me.”

“I’m honored.” She looked at him worriedly. “Is today the day I lose him? I’m supposed to get two days notice.”

“You will never lose him. I swear.”

“But the gods?”

“The gods will rejoice.”

“It’s him, isn’t it. He’s come back for me?”

Simba smiled broadly. “I’ll give you two guesses.”

Isha’s face beamed with joy. She nuzzled Simba and annointed his mane with her tears. “Bless you. Bless you! ”

“Now now, ” Simba cautioned, rubbing her gently with his paw. “You don’t want to smell like another lion when your husband comes.”

When the Pride had gathered on the eastern meadow, there was a lot of speculation what would happen. Most of them had heard rumors that Simba planned a special mantlement ceremony for Habusu that was only rarely performed. The others thought Rafiki had found a reason for Habusu to stay, and perhaps be the Prince Consort. They were expecting adoption proceedings. But whatever they thought, they waited silently and all eyes were on Habusu.

Several minutes passed. Simba waited patiently, erect, and as long as he sat there, no one would stir. A few cubs played in the grass, but as long as they kept it quiet no one seemed to mind. But the adults and older youth sat stock still, waiting for Simba to give the word to begin.

An hour passed. Many of the lions were very restless. Would Simba ever say, “Begin”?

Then Zazu broke the monotony. “Here he is! ”

A large, shapely lion with a rich, dark mane came out of the shadows. “Isn’t he handsome! ” one of the lionesses whispered.

The stranger looked at Kako and said quietly, “Mother.”

Kako left the ranks and covered the space that separated them, putting her arm over his shoulder and nuzzling him. “My son, my son! ”

So this was the heir to Taka’s kingdom, the son that had returned. Many of the lionesses stared at what the adolescent had become. The miracle of his maturity was all the greater because it was not seen unfolding day by day.

Kissing his mother, Mabatu gently led her aside, then went to Simba. Falling down before him, he said, “I touch your mane.”

“I feel it.”

“And what brings you to my kingdom?”

“I come to claim what is mine—if she still wants me.”

“Yes, yes, YES!! ” Isha sprang forward and raising on her hind legs wrapped her arms around his neck, pawing him and nuzzling him. “I’m yours forever! ”

At this, all semblance of order was lost. “Big boy, you’re in for some loving tonight! ” Sarafina cried.

“I’m the real Isha! ” Ajenti shouted. “She’s an imposter! Take me, take me! ”

“Way to go, Isha! If you get tired, send him my way! ”

“Enough of this, ” Simba said, calling for order. “Can’t you see they have unfinished business?”

“Can we watch?” Sarafina said.

“Shame on you, Fini.” Simba had to chuckle at that remark.

In the calm that followed, Mabatu beheld his son for the first time. “So this is Habusu. He is my son, and the one true heir.” He nuzzled Habu and added, “It is a small kingdom. I share it with an old lion who lost a challenge. We are a matched pair, a sunrise and a sunset. But he is a dear friend, and you will grow to love him.”

Lisani came up and nuzzled her mother.

“And who is this?”

“Lisani, but we call her Miss Priss. Beesa’s daughter. My sister died some time ago.” Isha looked at her compassionately. “What do you want to do, Miss Priss?”

“I want to go wherever you go. But the nickname stays here, OK?”

Mabatu smiled. “Fair enough, Lisani. I guess that makes five of us.”

“You’re taking two of my best lionesses, and a second son, ” Simba said. “You better leave before I change my mind.”

“Three of your best lionesses, ” Kako said with little modesty but great effect. “Someone has to make sure my son is eating right. And my daughter.”

And so it was that the visitor from the east went back the way she came, taking her mystery with her. But this time she was surrounded by the love of her own family.

Sarabi was stirred from sleep by a gentle but firm paw. She opened her eyes, but seeing the darkness of her cave grunted and closed them again.

“Sarabi, ” a lion called gently. She started. “Sarabi, over here.”

She looked around, and standing before her was her heart’s desire. “Mufasa! ”

Mufasa went to her, nuzzled her and kissed away her tears. “My love.”

“Don’t leave me, Muffy! Stay here, my love. Stay.”

“I can’t stay long.”

Sarabi’s eyes began to well up with tears. “How long then? A day? An hour?” She spoke in a whisper—“Another minute?”

“Long enough to take you with me.”

She touched him with her tongue. He felt warm and alive, not like a ghostly spirit. “Will it hurt?”

“Turn around, Sarabi. Tell me what you see.”

She looked over her shoulder and there on the ground was a sleeping lioness. Only she was not asleep.

“We are already together, Sassie.”

For many moments, all they could do was share their joy, playing like cubs, nuzzling and planting warm lion kisses. Then Mufasa called in a lioness, one whose face was strange and yet familiar. “Shanni, this is your mother.”

“Shanni?” Sarabi looked at her closely. “Such a lioness, now? And so beautiful.”

“Like her mother, ” Mufasa said with a smile. And yet in the ocean depth of their joy, one small thing appeared to trouble Mufasa—something evident now that Ka could face another Ka and thought became reality.

“What’s wrong? You are worried, my husband?”

“Another old friend waits for you. Someone who’s afraid to say hello.”

Sheepishly, into the entrance of the cave strode a lion of lesser build but great beauty. The depth of his love and humility gave back to his face the lost innocence of his cubhood and washed away the hardness of his former life. “Muffy, have you told her about me?”

Sarabi stared at Taka. “It’s you.”

Taka’s ears drooped and his tail hung limply. “What was I thinking coming here.” He started back out of the cave.

“Wait.”

Sarabi went to Taka and looked into his eyes. “Look at me.”

Taka looked away and shuddered. “Do not pity me. Even in death I cannot bear it.”

Sarabi took her paw and turned Taka to face her. “Look at me.”