The early morning sun reflected in Queen Akase’s eyes. King Ahadi looked into their fire and whispered the word “beloved.” She smiled and nuzzled him, then kissed her new twin sons as if the four of them were alone in a private kingdom of love.
      But they were not alone. Next to them Shaka, the King’s brother, his wife Avina, and their twin daughters Sarabi and Elanna welcomed in the dawn. And spread out across the plain in their tribes were the works of Aiheu the Beautiful in all their splendor—the solemn elephants, the tall giraffes, the lithe zebras with stripes more joyous than the brightest bird. Side by side they stood, rank on rank, row on row. And never was the fang shown, nor the claw bared. They had come to celebrate the mystery of life through the presentation of the new Prince. For that one day, death did not walk among them.
 
ZAZU:Spread the tidings far and wide,
Shout them from the mountainside!
Cry Ai-heu a-ba-ma-mi all, because the Prince is born!
 
 
AKASE:Our love, at last, has found its pure embodiment in you,
(TO TAKA)Our love, at last, is visible in everything you do;
The way you feel, the way you smile, the way you look at me,
Will prove to all, beyond a doubt, how great a love can be.
 
 
And how I love you! You make the morning start.
Joy streaming from my heart as I repeat your name:
You are my treasure, you came into my world,
Whatever Fate may hold, my life won’t be the same.
 
 
AHADI:You will be King, you will be great, your dreams will all come true,
(TO MUFASA)But just for now remain my son, and let me comfort you.
I want the best to give my sons, I offer all I own;
What good is wealth and lands or health if one must live alone?
 
 
And how I love you! You make the morning start.
Joy streaming from my heart as I repeat your name:
You are my treasure, you came into my world,
Whatever Fate may hold, my life won’t be the same.
 
      Through the gathered hosts walked Makedde, the mandrill. Those near him drew back and cleared the way. He blessed them with signs of Aiheu’s love, touching the very young with outstretched fingers, and also the very old.
      Makedde forded the boulders that protected the base of Pride Rock, a warm shaft of stone whose sheltering arms protected lions from the uncertainties of night. Up, up the winding trail he climbed until he reached the promontory of stone where destiny awaited. As the world held its breath, Makedde approached the two sons of Akase. Ahadi lay his paw on small Mufasa and nodded gravely.
      “I touch your mane, ” Makedde said with deep respect. “Incosi aka Incosi, Great King.” He sprinkled Mufasa with powdered Alba and anointed his brow with Chrisum. Then he picked up the small golden treasure and held him up. A shaft of light broke through the morning clouds and lit the cub like a kiss of joy. A child born of love who had known nothing but love in his short life looked over the admiring throng. Through the shouts, through the clamor of the transformed crowd a voice of sweetness whispered through the light, “Makedde, will you protect him?”
      “With your help, Aiheu, I will not fail.”
      Below, the crowd in respect and awe felt the presence of God, and they fell to the ground bowing, scraping and calling in their own tongues the words of worship each according to their own belief. But Makedde did not hear them. Taking the tender baby to his arms, he kissed him. “May the wind blow kindly on you. May the sun shine brightly on you. May the gods take you to their heart.” A tear of joy ran down his face.
      Reluctantly, he lay the cub down by Akase. Small Taka looked up expectantly, his eyes full of innocent curiosity. With a smile, but some regret, Makedde cuddled the cub under the chin and felt the hum of his happy purr. “This will be the wise one, ” Makedde whispered. “He would have made a great king.”

      Ahadi loved to play with his young sons. But he also took time to see to their education. Some lessons were naturally fun--like stalking and pouncing. Others were less fun, but equally important.
      Mufasa was always good at stalking and pouncing, and he held his own wrestling with his brother Taka whom he almost always beat. But Taka could listen to hours of the Chronicles of the Kings and the Law of the Pride while Mufasa would start to squirm and follow the distant herds with his eyes.
      Ahadi found Taka a thirsty sponge, and flattered by the rapt attention he got, he drew on all the learning of a lifetime and told him many wonderful and strange things on the inspiring setting of the promontory.
      “The words of wisdom are sometimes hardest to hear, ” Ahadi said. “N’ga and Sufa, the sons of Ramalah ignored their father’s teachings, and it would bring them to grief. For a father teaches out of love, and to reject his teachings is to refuse his love. It’s the same with us, my sons. I would not have you come to grief....” Ahadi paused, glanced at Mufasa who was wrapped up in his own daydream, winked at Taka, and kept right on going in the same voice. “And it was in this time that a certain lion cub watched the plains for wildebeests, dreaming of the day when he would have no more lessons to learn. And doing so, he stuffed his head with dead grass instead of knowledge.” He added with some emphasis: “Isn’t that so, Mufasa??”
      “Yes, father.”
      Taka laughed and rolled about, singing, “Dead grass, dead grass, nyah-nyah-na-nyah-nyah! ”
      “What’s so funny??” Mufasa looked at Taka with irritation, but his father scowled, and he looked down embarrassed.
      “Taka, what were we talking about?” Ahadi knew he could rely on him.
      “There were these two brothers N’ga and Sufa. They were very famous. One day N’ga got into this fight with Sufa over this girl. Not just any girl, because she was white as clouds and magic, see, and if one of them married her, their kingdom would be great. But she was one swell number, and they both wanted her to marry them. So they went down by this lake (and this is the really neat part)--they fought all day and all night without stopping. And they fought the second day.”
      He began walking around Mufasa as he talked. “They fought all the third day. They didn’t sleep either. They fought for five whole days and nights, cause she was such a babe, and they were so stubborn that neither one would give in. And on the fifth day, they both fell asleep at the same time. And while they were asleep, the girl sneaked out and married a magic lion with powers like hers, and boy did N’ga and Sufa feel like a couple of idiots! ”
      “Good job! ” Ahadi nuzzled Taka. “And such a unique interpretation.”
      Mufasa looked dejected.
      “Come here, Muffy.” Ahadi pulled Mufasa over with his paw and nuzzled him. “I wish you could play all the time if that’s what you really want. But you need to learn the skills of leadership. Besides, while I learned these lessons from my father it was a special time for us to spend together. Enjoy this time while it lasts, and make the most of it.”
      “I try. Really I do.”
      “I know. But remember that I don’t love you for how smart you are or how strong you are. I love you because you’re my sons. Whatever gifts Aiheu gives you, you need to make the most of them, and that takes education. Understand?”
      “Yes, Dad.”
      Ahadi smiled indulgently. “Why don’t you two go play for a while.”
      The cubs gamboled away, but Ahadi shouted, “Whoa! Aren’t you forgetting something?”
      Muffy and Taka ran back and gave their dad a quick kiss.

      The next morning, Ahadi rose earlier than was his custom. Stealthily, he crept over to where his twin sons lay side by side, and with the most careful nudge touched Mufasa. The cub shifted but did not rouse. He pressed again, a little harder, and stirred Mufasa from his sleep. Muffy looked up a little surprised and irritated, but Ahadi touched his mouth with his paw and silently jerked his head about to say “follow me.” His interest piqued, Muffy struggled to his feet quietly and began to follow his father out of the cave.
      Taka, who was a light sleeper, felt a cold place on his back where it was warm before. He grunted and pushed himself back toward a brother that was not there. Sleepily he felt around with a paw, then looked about and just caught a glimpse that he was missing something important.
      On stealthy paws, he stirred himself and crept out onto the platform that served as his spectacular front porch. There in the light of the early morning sun sat father and son. Mufasa leaned against his father, gold rimmed in the splendor of daybreak.
      “Why wasn’t I invited?” Taka wondered. He wanted to bury himself in the fragrant softness of his father’s mane and enjoy the sunrise. For a moment, he considered snuggling up on the other side. Then Muffy said, “What’s up, Dad?”
      “Shhh! You’ll wake Taka.”
      Taka enjoyed secrets, so he crouched in the doorway where he could see and not be seen.
      “See what the light touches, ” Ahadi purred softly. “That is the boundary of my kingdom. I sit here sometimes and look at it and it humbles me. So many peoples depend on me, and I must put their needs above my own. But it has been wonderful. It is always wonderful to be needed, especially when you always do your best to meet those needs. Someday you will know that feeling when I am gone, for I have chosen you to follow me.”
      “Me?” Muffy looked genuinely surprised. “Whoa, neat! ”
      Taka gasped. “No! It’s not fair! ” formed on his lips, but no sound came out.
      Muffy said, with some difficulty, “But Taka has always been the smart one. I thought sure he’d be King. He knows everything.”
      “Not everything, son, though he is very bright. You’re bright too, though you need to apply yourself more in your studies. I brought you out here in the hope that you would work harder if you knew what was at stake. What you are learning is the wisdom of our people. You are the future king. As long as you know how to be a good king, you will have lionesses who can chase wildebeests.” Ahadi sighed deeply. “The decision was not easy. Don’t tell Taka just yet. Right now, it’s our little secret.”
      “Why is it a secret, Dad?”
      “Because as you say, Taka is smart. He tries so hard. If he knew he would not be King, he may be discouraged and waste the talents that Aiheu gave him. Much as you were tempted to do.” He looked deeply but not judgementally into Mufasa’s eyes. “You know I speak the truth, don’t you. You are very clever when you want to be.” He sighed deeply. “This should have been a happy occasion. Instead it breaks my heart. I wish I had a kingdom to give each of you, but I don’t.”
      “Why can’t we cut it in half. He can take that half, and I’ll take this?”
      “That’s very kind of you, Muffy, but it won’t work. Hunting would be poor in a smaller kingdom. Accept fate--the whole kingdom belongs to both of you, but you will be King, and he will not. That’s why I taught you the story of N’ga and Sufa. If you always fight and can never agree, the prize will often go to another. If you love Taka, and I know you do, you will say nothing for now. I want to tell him in my own way when the time is right. I will be gentle.”
      “I see.” Mufasa said thoughtfully, “I want to be King someday, but I sure feel bad about Taka. I won’t tell till you say it’s OK.”
      Ahadi smiled. “Maybe you have to work harder on your lessons, but you have a good heart. That was my greatest hope, to leave this world without worries or regrets. When I think of you as King after me, I feel no worries or regrets.”
      For a moment, Taka was very angry, but his anger soon changed to hurt. Head bowed and ears flattened, he sneaked back to the warmth and comfort of his mother.

      Akase was worried about Taka. She had a lioness’ sensitivity to how her own cubs felt, and she knew Taka was not feeling well. He moped about. At times he would not meet her eyes. At other times he would stare into them as if he were trying to see something deep inside.
      Even Ahadi could tell something was amiss. He nudged the small cub playfully with his nose. “Something got you down, Taka?”
      “No sir.”
      “You can tell your Dad. I know--how about a nice story? You know, one of the Great Kings of the Past. Have I ever told you about Moko Greatmane?”
      “Yes sir.” Taka sighed deeply. Ahadi started to say something, but Akase silently shook her head and mouthed, “No.”
      Ahadi gave his son a warm lion kiss on the cheek. “I love you, son. You know there is nothing you can’t tell me when you’re good and ready.”
      Taka looked up pitifully. “Do you, Dad? Do you still love me?”
      Ahadi bit his lip. “Oh gods. Don’t you know?” Deeply affected, he stared at the cub for a while, then wandered off a few steps to sit facing the distant mountains.
      Akase was a little sharp. “What on earth made you say that? Of course he loves you. Look how you hurt him! ” She softened her tone. “Honey tree, what ever made you think he didn’t love you?”
      “Well I....” Taka could tell her the truth, but she would know he had spied on his father. He struggled with the burden for a moment, then said, “I was just asking, that’s all. I’m sorry.”
      Quietly, Taka went over a secret list of every foolish thing he’d ever done, wondering which one condemned him to be second place for life. Was it the time he sneaked away without telling Mom? Was it the time he pulled that practical joke on Uzuri and she got so upset with him? Maybe Uzuri told Dad, even though he’d begged her not to? Should he have the nerve to ask? No. Of course not. He was not even supposed to know anything about it. Besides, after his Dad told Muffy his decision, it would be too late to change anything.
      It was nearly noon, time for Taka's nap, but Mufasa gamboled up like a box of rubber balls, so full of cubhood enthusiasm that he was about to burst. His mood was contagious. "Taka, you just gotta see this! "
      "Gotta see what?"
      "What is it, son?" Akase purred. "Another hedgehog? A meerkat perhaps?"
      "Well, it's--" His tail twitched. "Yeah, a meerkat."
      "What's so great about a meerkat? We see them all the time, " Taka said, sulking. "It's almost noon. It's hot enough to melt your brain, if you had one."
      "But this meerkat is DIFFERENT, " Mufasa said with a sly wink. Taka saw the way Mufasa's tail twitched, something that always happened when he told a lie. He half-smiled with a toothy, wry grin.
      "Different, eh?” Taka was shaken out of his self-pity. “Well, I guess so. Is it okay, Mom?"
      "If you're back soon. You’ve been kind of under the weather today."
      Almost before she could finish her sentence, Mufasa and Taka bounded off like a shot, startling a flock of noisy guinea fowl into a conniption. They headed through the deep grass of the plain, stopping once in a while to stand up above the grass like furry jack-in-the-boxes.
      Deep in grass though they were, young Sarabi saw them fording the broomsedge and knew there must be something up worth seeing. She hurried across the rocks and plunged into the green waves. Before long, she joined them, panting.
      "So what's up?" Sarabi asked.
      "Oh, nothing, " Mufasa said. "We were practicing--stalking." His tail twitched.
      "Every time you're up nothing, " Sarabi said, "You're up to something."
      "We are going to look at--a meerkat, " Taka volunteered.
      "A meerkat?" Sarabi asked, a little unconvinced. She saw his nose twitch, a sure sign that he was lying.
      "Well, this one is different, " Taka said.
      "Then I want to see, too, " Sarabi said.
      "Good work, lame brain, " Mufasa half-snarled. He cuffed Taka soundly on the cheek. Taka growled and cuffed him back. These were done with the claws in, like the well-bred lions they were, but they started wrestling full-tilt.
      Muffy was stronger, and he fought cleanly. Taka was a determined opponent, and before long he started snapping at ears and tails. As the fight threatened to turn really ugly, Sarabi started running little circles around them, distressed.
      "Stop it! Stop it right now! " Sarabi was highly indignant. "We'll never see that stupid old meerkat at this rate--if there ever was one."
      She had no effect. The snarls began to sound more serious. Taka was losing, as he usually did, but he wasn't giving up. "Say Uncle!"
      "Not till you--ow! --stop calling me names! Just cause you're bigger than I am doesn't make you smarter! "
      Sarabi shouted, "I'll tell your mother if you don't stop! You're both lame brains sometimes."
      "We're just funning, " Mufasa said, on top.
      "Yeah. We didn't mean anything, " Taka said, wiggling out from beneath, and giving Mufasa one last hard swat with his claws out.
      Sarabi looked Taka over, and seeing a small spot of blood on his right ear felt very motherly, began to clean it with her tongue.
      Taka could always count on her sympathy, but he wanted to look more grown at the moment. "Doesn't hurt."
      "You're bleeding."
      "Oh, it's nothing. Really."
      "Yeah, really, " Mufasa said, cleaning a nasty cut on the back of his paw by himself. "Well, if you insist on coming, there's this honey badger near the forest. He's white--whiter than clouds. You remember when N’ga and Sufa were fighting over that white lioness because she was magic and could grant wishes?"
      “You mean Minshasa?” Taka thought a moment. “Oh yeah! But you can’t marry a badger. Or can you?”
      “I don’t want to marry it. I only want a wish.”
      “What are you going to wish for, Muffy?”
      Mufasa smiled an embarrassed smile. “That’s why I wanted you to come. I want you to sit with me when I join the great kings of the past. Dad wants me to be King when he dies.”
      “I heard him. I was hiding behind a rock when he told you.”
      “You shouldn’t spy on people, ” Mufasa said sternly, but he added, “Maybe you won’t be a king in this life, but if the badger really gives wishes, you’ll be a king when you die.”
      “Really?” Taka was in transports. “You’d do that for me? What a neat idea! ” He was very demonstrative, and he nuzzled Mufasa. “You’re the best! You said wanted to give me half of the Pride Lands. I heard you.”
      “Yeah. But it’s not going to happen, so don’t tell anyone I said that.”
      “I won’t. It doesn’t matter now, but it was really neat. You’re the best, Muffy! ” He laughed and took a swat at his brother. The two of them got into a wrestling match, giggling and squirming. Both of them did their utmost, butut as usual Mufasa quickly won, pinning Taka.
      Mufasa had to smile a little inside. He was glad he didn’t wish for something selfish. Still holding Taka down, he said, “Look, when Dad tells you I’m the new King, you act surprised. You’d better. You know he’d cuff you good for spying on us.”
      "I want to be where Taka is, " Sarabi said. "Either I get to sit with Taka, or I'm telling on both of you! "
      “That’s going to be my wish, ” Taka said. He squirmed out from under Mufasa, went and nuzzled her. “Now what are you going to wish for?”
      Sarabi gave Taka a quick tongue touch on the cheek. “You’ll find out.”
      With this settled, the three cubs headed toward the burrow at the edge of the acacia grove.

      The entrance to the burrow was a forbidding black hole. Mufasa started to enter it, but the opening was barely large enough for a regular cub to squeeze in properly, not really enough to maneuver in. Mufasa was a bit large for his age, and he had no hope of getting down there. He suggested that they call the badger out.
      “Hello in there! ”
      There was no reply.
      “Come out, badger. I can hear you breathing in there, so I know you’re at home.”
      They waited several moments. Nothing happened.
      “Let’s go, ” Sarabi said. “Looks like he’s a no-show.”
      “Wait. I think he’s holding out on us.” He yelled down the hold, “I'm Prince Mufasa—I’m going to be King someday, and I’m making you my prisoner. If you want to get free, you’ll have to bless me and my friends! "
      They could indeed hear the sound of muffled breathing coming from the depths of the tunnel. Carried by the walls of the burrow, it sounded loud like the sound of the sea in a shell, and it was quick, almost urgent and upset. They didn't know if he was afraid or angry.
      "Maybe he's deaf, Your Majesty, " Taka said with a laugh. "You pulled me all the way over here for a hole in the ground? I bet it's a rabbit. Just a scared little rabbit! And YOU called ME a lame brain! "
      "But there was a white badger here, honest! " Mufasa looked at Taka, then at Sarabi. "You do believe me, don't you? I mean, does this smell like a rabbit to you??"
      Taka sniffed carefully of the opening. He'd never smelled a honey badger before, but he knew it was not a rabbit. It was strange and pungent, and full of possibilities. "I've come this far, " Taka said. "If I'm going to get my wish, I guess I have to go in there."
      "You'll never do it, " Mufasa said, looking at the dark hole with a barely repressed shudder. "He sounds really angry. Besides, it's dark in there, and you're afraid of the dark."
      "Says who?"
      "Says me, that's who! You always think the hyenas are going to get you. Sometimes you won't go to sleep till high moon, then you have bad dreams."
      Taka was deeply stung. Often he would wake with the same nightmare of being ripped apart by hyenas. Akase, always listening with a mother's ear, would be there quickly to comfort him with warm kisses that smelled like lioness love and let him rest his head on her soft belly until he fell asleep to the music of her breath. He never knew if he also woke Mufasa. Now, there was no doubt. Taka's stomach knotted. He looked at the hole and knew what he must do.
      Sarabi could see the fear and cuddled up next to Taka. "Don't do it if you don't want to. I sure wouldn't."
      "That's cause you're a girl, " Taka said, but he looked at her kindly. Then he faced the dark hole. "I'm not afraid of the dark. I'm not afraid of the badger. I'm a lion, and lions aren't afraid...” He looked over at Muffy. “...no matter WHAT their brothers think."
      With stooped shoulders and head held low, Taka angled down the steep passageway. As he reluctantly headed down the dark shaft, inch by inch, he kept talking. "We're not going to hurt you. We just want you to give us a wish, see? There are three of us, so that’s three wishes." The sound of breathing from the depths grew faster, as did Taka's. “Three wishes ought to be real easy for someone like you. I mean, what’s three wishes for a real Nisei?” Silence. “Please say something. Anything.”
      "Hey Taka, " Mufasa said, "You don't have to do it.” He stuck his head in the hole and said, “I'm sorry I called you a dim wit."
      "It was lame brain, " Sarabi said.
      "Whatever." Mufasa snapped. "Hey Taka, come back. I was only funning about you being afraid of the dark." He grew impatient. "Taka, I SAID I WAS SORRY, all right?? Now come out of there or I'll tell mother! "
      “Don’t block up the hole, ” Sarabi said. She listened carefully at the entrance. “What’s he doing down there?”
      “How should I know? Hush.”
      They heard Taka's voice from the depths of the tunnel. It was distant, thin and stammering. "We don't want to hurt you. You see, my brother Mufasa is going to be King when he grows up, but I’m just his brother. He had this idea that if I could sit with....”
      There was a low rumbling from the depths. It sounded like a growl.
      “Please help me. I’m scared. It's so dark in here." It was Taka. Mufasa and Sarabi did not know if he was talking to the badger or to them. Mufasa tried to push his way down the hole.
      It was a tight fit, and he realized he wouldn’t be much help. He started digging.
      “Don’t! ” Sarabi pulled him back. “It will cave in! ”
      “But he’s in trouble.”
      “If he gets buried, he’ll really be in trouble.” She looked in the opening. “Taka, are you OK?”
      “Is that you, Sassie?”
      “Please come out. If you love me, come out.”
      “In a minute.”
      “Not in a minute! Right now! ”
      The sounds of breathing quickened again. There were some sounds of movement. Then silence. After a moment, Mufasa looked at Sarabi. "I didn't think he'd do it. Either he's very brave or very stupid."
      "He's not stupid, " Sarabi said firmly. "If you hadn't called him stupid, he wouldn't be down there! Just because he's smaller than you are doesn't mean he's stupid." She called out more loudly. “Please come out! You’re scaring me! ”
      Just then there was a loud, menacing growl and a cub's shriek of agony. "I'm going! Oh Gods! Let me go! Let me go, you’re hurting me! " They could hear Taka trying to back out.
      Muffy started digging furiously. “Taka!! ” Dust flew from his paws, and he managed to work his head in. “Hold on: I can see your tail! Come back a little more. Give me a few more inches! ”
      Mufasa grabbed at the tail and pulled with all his might. Sarabi grabbed Muffy’s tail, and trying not to hurt him too much gave a yank. Taka came stumbling out of the hole backward, his face covered in blood, and one of his eyes protruding from its socket. The white badger came out after him, but saw the other two cubs raise the fur on their backs and snarl. Thinking twice about its options, it reluctantly went back in its hole. Taka laid on the ground shivering. "Oh gods! It hurts! Somebody help me! I want my momma! "
      Mufasa stared at the unseeing eye in a pool of blood. It took a moment for him to tear himself away from the horror and move. "I'll get Mom--no, I'd better get Makedde." He started off, then stopped. "No, he'd have to come back here. Can you walk, Taka?"
      Taka struggled off the ground and began to limp. Blood dripped down his face and onto the grass. "I'll try. Is it very far?"
      "No. Just follow me."

      It was a long trek to Makedde’s home in the baobab tree. In the hot sun, the blood began to cake in Taka’s fur, and flies mercilessly swarmed around him. His gait was unsteady, and try though he did, his bravery could only stretch so far.
      “How much further is it?”
      “Just a little more, ” Mufasa said.
      “That’s what you said the last time.” Taka began panting uncontrollably. “It hurts. Do you think he’ll have something for the pain?”
      “He has stuff for everything, ” Sarabi said. “Don’t worry, Taka. Everything will be all right.”
      “How much further is it?”
      Sarabi got ahead of him and looked into his face. His good eye did not seem to focus. She realized he was following the sound of Muffy’s feet. “You must keep going, ” Sarabi said. “Do it for me.”
      Loss of blood and the pain was sending Taka into shock, and he was getting weak in the limbs. “Sassie, I don’t think I can make it.”
      “You can make it, ” she said, leaning into him. “Taka, did you hear the one about the two wildebeests and the zebra?”
      “No.”
      “Well there was these two wildebeests, and one said to the other, ‘I bet I can get that zebra to laugh before you can. So he went to the zebra and said, ‘Watch this! ’ He stood on his head and stuck out his tongue. But the zebra didn’t laugh. So you know what the other wildebeest did?”