Chronicles of the Pride Lands cotpl-1

by John H. Burkitt

  "Zazu! " Tanabi ran over. "Zazu, you old son of a gun! Good work! "

  "Good? You call that good?" He nearly wretched. "Never tell anyone I helped in this disgusting spectacle. I'll never admit to it. I always keep myself as far away from blood as possible! "

  "He's trying to thank you, " Misha said. "It was very noble of you, Zazu. In a way, it makes you a sort of...well..."

  "Please don't say honorary lioness, " Zazu replied, staring at her bloody cheek. "I don't look good in red."

  "No, I meant hero."

  "Hero? Me?" Zazu bowed with a flourish. "Pardon my manners--you're both quite welcome. It was the least I could do under the circumstances. All in a day's work, you know. And since you won't be needing a chaperone, I'll leave you alone. Be good, now."

  Zazu flew away, but Tanabi and Misha were not alone by any means. The other lionesses stood about smiling, the sort of smile that made Tanabi feel shaved of all his fur. "Ladies, don't you have somewhere to go? Huh?? Well find someplace. Scat! Shoo! "

  "Oooh, they want to be alone! " one of the lionesses said, coyly. It started a chorus of giggles.

  "Talk about ingratitude, " one of them chimed. "I don't have to hang around here and take this abuse. I'm leaving."

  Misha watched them go slowly into the tall grass. "Tanabi, they helped us. Do you really think that was the right thing to do?"

  "Yes, Honey Tree. And I'd do it again."

  She nuzzled him. "Just checking."

  SCENE: BEFORE THE ASSEMBLED HOST

  “And when the mane comes forth the gods expect certain things of a lion. He shall be tested by the wilderness, and if he is found worthy, he shall become a King.”

  -- WISDOMS OF JABANI

  Isha’s son Habusu was more than a best friend of Tanabi. He was in every way a brother. Because of this, and the strong feelings engendered by the kidnapping, there were many reasons why Simba did not want to lose Habusu.

  Still he had the obligation to do something concerning Habusu since his mane was fully grown and he was well past his second birthday.

  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.

  IN CLOSING

  “The anger of Duma was kindled, and he swore a mighty oath that Obade should die. And he said, ‘Milk and mud are easily mixed, but once together, who shall separate them? Thus is the oath mixed with my blood, and only spilling my blood can release me.’ But Aiheu rebuked him saying ‘I am the Lord who made the soil and made the mother’s milk. And to those I anoint comes the power to separate mud from milk, that they may also separate foolishness from righteousness. What mother would vow to give her cub mud instead of milk? How then shall you vow to slay your brother when it is evil?’”

  -- LEONID SAGA, “J” SECTION, VARIATION 2

  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 le
ave 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.”

  He opened his eyes and looked into hers. “I see the same old Taka that used to pull my tail when I wasn’t looking.” She smiled. “You have found peace. I often prayed that you would.” She nuzzled him and kissed his sad face.

  Taka felt warm tears run down his cheeks. “Look Muffy, when she cries she is so beautiful. Isn’t she beautiful, Muffy?”

  Mufasa smiled. “Sarabi, you are beautiful. Come on, my friends. Let’s show her around.”

  Aiheu is wonderful, He knows the pain you bear,

  And He will grant a share of comfort in the night;

  The ones you hold most dear, His hand will hold most near,

  Until you see them clear in His eternal light.

  THE END: THE CHRONICLES OF THE PRIDE LANDS

  APPENDIXES:

  APPENDIX I: THE LEONINE STORY OF BEGINNINGS

  A Modern English Translation

  From the start there was Aiheu the Beautiful, the first of the living and the cause of all life. Aiheu had many spirit children, and he shared his love and knowledge with them. It was a happy time, but still unfulfilling for the lives of spirit children were of thought alone. And Aiheu sensed that his children were longing for something more.

  So Aiheu went to the world of Ma’at (soil) which at that time was completely dark and sterile. He put two lights in the heavens, the sun and moon. And the brightness of the sun caused the water to form clouds, and wherever the clouds rained on the dry earth, green plants grew. And so in time the world of Ma’at was changed from ugliness into beauty.

  And Aiheu summoned his spirit children to show them his work. The beauty of the land was the first thing they had ever seen, and they were very pleased. For a time, they explored the world, some preferring the skies, others the ground, others the trees, and others the waters. And yet they were still unfulfilled, for the sun did not warm them, the breeze did not cool them nor the waters wash them, and they could not feel the grass beneath their feet. And they asked Aiheu, “What does this land have to do with us? We are strangers here.” So Aiheu moistened some soil with water, and with his hands shaped the first bodies. Some were fish, others birds, and others the animals that walked on land and climbed trees, each according to the domains they were created for. When he breathed into the bodies, they took on life and became dwelling places for spirit children. Because they were finally part of the world, they could feel the warm sun, the cool breeze, the waters and the grass. They had these and many other pleasures, but they were given a warning. The price of pleasure is often pain. And it was not long until they had all felt pain, yet they assured Aiheu that pleasure was worth the price. This was the first agreement, that pleasure is worth pain.

  Those bodies were not permanent. Earth, water and air may only rest apart. When they are mixed, they become restless and strive to separate. That is why death and decay are part of the world, for the elements will eventually prevail. Aiheu knew this, so he took steps to prevent the world from becoming sterile. He went to the Lake of Mara and changed its waters into the first milk. And all animals were brought together to drink from it.

  Milk fertilizes animals the way rain fertilizes plants, for it makes soil, water and air content to mix for a time. And all those who drank milk obtained the gift to produce milk in their bodies. The milk of the male could awaken new life in his mate, and the milk of the female could sustain it after birth. For no living thing except Aiheu can create life from the ground by breathing into it. This was the second agreement, that life should always continue.

  Now the earth was very large, but it was not without limits. So Aiheu offered his children two paths. Either they could choose who may carry on the line, or they could all be treated equally and Aiheu would find another way to control them. And they all said, “Treat us equally, ” for no one wanted to be the one to live alone. So Aiheu chose some animals to be hunters and others to be hunted that they may keep the earth in balance. Thus arose all the peoples and their ways that carry on to this day. This was the third agreement, that a full life involves struggle.

  And when Aiheu had set this into motion, he showed them that it was not random, but part of his plan from the beginning. The cycles of birth, growth, death, and decay were like four legs—they had to work together to travel anywhere. Yet from his steadfast love, he would have his children accept the three agreements of their own free will.

  Some beings did not choose to accept these agreements. These spirit children were the first Nisei, which are the good spirits which oversee the balances of creation. They are often called the minor gods, though they are truly brothers to the animals. The major gods arose from the lake of milk, and they were all kindly like Aiheu, until Koko the gorilla threw mud into the lake and spoiled the milk. Thus rose the polluted Makei, the evil spirits. But Koko confessed what he did to Aiheu, and he was pardoned. Aiheu gave him authority over the mud to purge the lake, and he became the keeper of the lake until it was finally drained at the end of the first era. Because he drank from the milk each day, he only began to age when the lake was no more, and his days were two hundred and seventy years.

  I would not have you ignorant concerning death, for Aiheu has provided for his children. When an animal dies whose life is acceptable to God, it becomes one of the second Nisei. They oversee the welfare of those they left behind. The greatest of the second Nisei are the Great Kings of the Past and those whom Aiheu has blessed for good service. Koko became one of the second Nisei. And then there are animals whose deeds are constantly evil, and they join the Makei. These are doomed to walk the earth without bodies until they find the image of Aiheu within themselves and seek redemption through service. They are called the Makei for their suffering makes Aiheu weep.

  The first children of Aiheu were close to their God and to each other, for their spirits had roamed free. But their children who were born to bodies of soil were not able to hear the words of the Lord. To keep the peoples from losing touch with him entirely, Aiheu anointed some children with holy chrisum that from birth they hear him w
hen he speaks. And these he called shamans. They were strictly charged to bring the word of God to his peoples with honesty and unselfishness. A lying shaman is worse than the Makei, and Aiheu will not weep for them nor will he repent of his anger.

  As long as this story is passed from old to young, never added to or subtracted from, the blessings of Aiheu will be upon those who hear it.

  APPENDIX II: THE STORY OF N’GA AND SUFA

  When Ramalah was ruler of a great kingdom, his wife Chakula conceived twin sons. They were the brothers N’ga and Sufa of whom many stories are told. So bold were N’ga and Sufa that even within their mother’s body they would struggle, and she would eat herbs to dull the discomfort.

  When time came for her to give birth, she called them N’ga and Sufa after the sun and moon, for they would chase each other as the sun chases the moon. Though they often fought each other, their hearts were good and they walked with Aiheu. Queen Chakula consulted the shamans about them, and was very happy and sad at once. For they all agreed N’ga and Sufa would live happy yet short lives. From that moment she was afraid to leave them with anyone but her sister Alba for she worried about them constantly.

  Once when the Queen was aprowl, Alba took the cubs to her cave to sleep. And that night the earth shook, and the entrance of the cave was sealed. When Chakula returned, she found the rubble and tried to dig them out. But all her efforts and all her mother’s love was not enough to clear the entrance. So the other lionesses took turns digging, and the work went on as the moon rose and the sun rose. One, two, three days, then four days passed and still the cubs were beyond reach. All hope had gone, and Chakula was left alone to dig, but she was faithful and kept working into the fifth day that she might see their bodies one last time. She was sure this was the fulfillment of the prophesy.

  On the fifth day, she opened a passage to the inside of the cave. And N’ga and Sufa emerged weak and unhurt. Chakula wept with joy, and gave thanks to Aiheu. But when she looked inside, her sister Alba lay dead. Alba, who was not in her milk, had opened the deep veins of her arm and nursed the cubs with her own blood so they might survive.