Six months had passed since the rescue of Habusu from Shenzi and Skulk, though it did not seem so long to most lions.
      Still, in that time the miracle of new life had come and left changes in the Pride Lands. The grass was green, the trees were full, and the savanna was grazed by herds once again. Even Khemoki deigned to grace the Pride Lands with his Zebra’ha.
      Misha, one of the new children, was sitting on a high rock outside her mother's cave. It was one of her favorite spots because she could see far in all directions.
      Her mother Ajenti asked, "What are you looking for so intently?"
      "Grandmother is coming. It's time for our walk."
      "Come in, Misha. She's not feeling up to it today. I'm sorry."
      "But she promised. She was sick yesterday and the day before."
      "If you love her, let her break the promise. That's what happens to you when you get to be her age, " her mother Ajenti explained.
      "Will I be like that someday?"
      "Yes, but it will be a long, long time."
      Misha sulked. She had grown to love those walks to the water hole with Yolanda in the early morning hours. Her grandmother was an encyclopedia of great stories of the old kings, of the gods, and even the latest gossip. And while they were supposed to take these walks for their exercise, Yolanda would always end up seeing something that brought back a memory, and the walk would become a talk.
      Misha was bright, and it didn't take her long to figure out that her grandmother would only get older with time. 'That age' was keeping them apart more and more, but never for three days in a row. She tried to imagine life without her grandmother--even the thought depressed her.
      Ajenti nuzzled her affectionately. "Why don't you go play with Tanabi? He really likes you."
      "He's OK, " she answered half-heartedly. Misha was really crazy about Tanabi, but it was just not the same. That was Grandmother's special time, and it was for no one else. If Grandmother couldn't come to her, she would go to Yolanda. It would be a pleasant surprise.
      There were several places Yolanda loved to go. Some of the more challenging ones, like her favorite branch in a low-hanging tree, had been neglected lately. She was more apt to be dozing on one of the large rocks that caught the morning sun. Misha went to the rocks, but no one was there. She wasn't at the tree, either. And the small cistern where rainwater filled a cave in the rock was visited by two lionesses, neither one of which had seen her.
      Simba wished Misha a cheerful good morning. "Tanabi was looking for you. That is, if you're not taking your morning walk."
      "But I am, Your Majesty, if I can find my Grandmother. You haven't seen Yolanda, have you?"
      "No, I'm afraid not."
      "I thought you were supposed to know where everyone is. You're king, aren't you?"
      Simba smiled pleasantly. "Indeed I am. But I'm not a miracle worker. If I see her before you do, I'll tell her you're looking for her. She's been kind of sick lately. Maybe she's still asleep."
      "I checked, " Misha said, distracted.
      Without saying good bye, Misha hurried on, but she had no idea where she was going. Everywhere her Grandmother usually stayed was deserted. So she must be somewhere unusual. On a whim, she took the path down to the savanna that stretched out before Pride Rock. The grass was tall, and it was easy for a lioness to disappear completely, a thought that was most upsetting to the antelopes and zebras. "Grandmother! Yolanda! Are you out there?" She hunted everywhere, which was not easy for a fully grown lioness, much less a cub. "Grandmother! It's me, Misha! "
      Just when she was about to give up, she saw Yolanda walking alone into the distance.
      "Grandmother! It's me! " Misha hurried over to her in the tall grass. "Wait up, will you! I've looked everywhere for you! Couldn't you hear me calling you?"
      Yolanda stopped for a moment to let Misha catch up, then resumed her slow, steady tread. "I'm sorry I didn't come by for our walk. I haven't felt well."
      "But you feel well now, don't you? I mean, you're walking now."
      "Honey tree, I'm walking now because I don't feel well. I don't want to be at home when something happens to me. They would either have to move me to a more suitable place, or let the hyenas desecrate my den. Either way, I don't want the ones I love to remember my death, but my life."
      "Are you going to die?"
      "Someday we all have to die. It's part of life."
      "I wish you wouldn't say that. You know I'd be sad if you died." She ran a few steps out front, which was not difficult at the rate Yolanda walked. "Can I walk with you?"
      "I suppose I have no choice, and I could use someone to talk to."
      "Maybe you'll tell me a story. Where are you going?"
      "I'm going to be with my husband. Your grandfather. You never knew him. His name was Simba, too. Just like the King. He was a good mate. Seeing him will make me young again."
      "Not really. I mean you just mean feel young, don't you? I thought he was dead."
      Yolanda smiled, indulgently.
      "Can I see him too?"
      "Someday, Misha. Not now." She walked across the plain slowly, painfully. Her joints had been stiff in the morning, but there was something more akin to lameness that was obvious even to Misha.
      "Are you all right?"
      "That doesn't matter now. I'm tired. I'm just so tired."
      "Then let's rest for a minute."
      "There will be time for rest later, " she said, determined. "We are not far enough yet."
      "Far enough from what? When is far enough?"
      "I'll tell you."
      She walked on. The exertion made her perspire, and her breath was labored. She stumbled over a small rock the way Misha might fall in a gopher hole. "What are you trying to find?" Misha asked. "There's nothing out here but grass."
      “That's the point, " she said. "It is the sort of place no one would go without a good reason."
      "Why don't you rest now?"
      "Are you tired, Misha? you're so young and strong. I'm so..." Yolanda stopped. Her teeth bared in a grimace of pain. "Oh gods! "
      "Grandmother! "
      Summoning all her reserve, she calmly said, "You were right, Misha. This is the place. We will rest here." She collapsed into a heap and moaned. "I'm so tired, Honey Tree. I could use
      some sleep. Why don't you go play someplace else right now and let me rest. I'll be all right."
      "Grandmother?" Misha said in a trembly voice. "Should I call Rafiki now? He's just over there."
      "No, honey tree. I'll be all right." Saying that, she lay her head in the grass. "Oh, can you feel the cool breeze, Misha?"
      "Yes, ma'am."
      She closed her eyes. "Isn't it wonderful? It's been so hot recently with no rains to freshen the air. But it may be a fine day after all. Nice and cool." Yolanda took in a deep breath, and let it out in a long, slow sigh. Misha anxiously watched her chest for a long time, waiting to see it rise and fall. She waited for a long time.
      "Wake up, Grandma! You can't sleep here! " She ran nervously around the body, nipping her on the paws and licking her on the cheek. "Don't leave me, Grandma. You can't die. You just
      can't! "
      Backing back from the body, Misha looked about for someone, anyone who could help. Why did she have to go so far away into the brush? Maybe Rafiki could help. Oh that the gods would let him be at home! "Is anybody out there?"
      Finally she spotted a lioness in the tall grass and ran toward her. "Help! Help! It's Yolanda! "
      "It's not safe here, " the lioness said. "You must go."
      The voice galvanized her. Misha stood frozen to the spot and stared at the sad, kindly face. It seemed to shine with its own inner light, and she didn't know whether to be happy or terrified. "Please don't leave me. I don't want you to go. I'll do anything. Just stay a little longer, please! "
      "It's not safe, " the lioness said firmly. "The vultures are here and the hyenas are not far behind. Run, honey tree. Run home now!"
      Misha was grief stricken, but she had to flee before the ghastly funeral took place. She couldn't hope to face off the scavengers at her age. And so she ran toward Pride Rock. She ran and ran like a mad thing and did not stop until she found her mother.

      When Misha found her mother and told her what had happened, Ajenti moaned as if from a wound. She ran up the side of Pride Rock and out onto the peak and roared one heart-rending roar. The other lions didn't have to ask what happened, for Yolanda had been expected to die. They roared as well, setting off a wave of sound that washed over the Pride Lands the sorrowful message. It may have lasted a few seconds, or a few minutes--time seemed to stand still. But when Ajenti lithely slinked back off the pinnacle and disappeared into the grass, so did her public grief. From now on, she would discuss it only with friends and family, and only when asked about it. They all understood that she loved her mother--there was no need to keep proving it to everyone. Indeed, if anyone asked her if she was heartbroken, and no one would, they would likely catch an indignant rake of her claws.
      For a couple of hours, all Misha could do was huddle next to her mother. Ajenti needed her small, warm presence. But there came a time when Ajenti needed to be alone for a while. It was her turn to remember when she was the cub, and Yolanda would tell her stories of the old kings, and groom her with her warm moist tongue. That was done best alone.
      Misha wanted her mother, but she welcomed the chance to head out unescorted across the savanna to the baobab tree. Her heart was full of questions that must be answered--it was her first experience with death.
      Rafiki had an odd habit of talking to himself. He put some small pieces of fruit into a bowl and took a bone in one hand while holding the bowl in the other. "Look out, little ones! Here comes the elephant! " He began to mash them into a paste. "Oh no! This is just awful! Shame on you, you ol' elephant! Heh heh! "
      He got an egg. Rarely did he use meat in his diet, and then it was only carrion. The egg was the closest thing he had that day, a prize he had filched from a nest only that morning.
      "Oooh, it must be done so carefully! " He said, positioning the egg on the edge of the bowl. "A-one, " he said, tapping it once lightly. "A-two! " he said tapping it a little harder. He turned the egg slightly. "A-three! " And at last with a smile, he said, "Here goes nothing! "
      "Rafiki! "
      The shell shattered in his fingers. Egg loaded with shell fragments dribbled from his hand into the bowl. "A-four, " he said with a sigh, and shook off his hands. "Who's there?"
      "Are you busy?"
      "Misha! " He smiled, wiping his hands off quickly. "Come in, my dear! Sit! " He planted a kiss on top of her head and giving her a hug. "You honor my humble home."
      "Oh Rafiki, she's gone! Grandma Yolanda is gone! "
      "I heard the cry, " Rafiki said. He understood a bit about how lions grieve, so he was careful in his approach. "You have questions for Rafiki?"
      "Well, yes."
      "Come sit beside me, " Rafiki said. He put his arm around her and said, "Now ask your Uncle Rafiki anything at all."
      Misha's eyes brimmed with tears. "I didn't want her to die. Why did she have to die? She was so good. Can't you help her? Why do the gods let good people die if they can do anything they want? Why?"
      "Oh, the little lady starts with the biggest questions." Rafiki sighed. "For one thing, no. I'm sorry, but it's beyond me to call her back. If I could have helped her, I would have helped Mufasa. As for why there is death, there is a legend among the mandrills about how death came into the world. My father told me, and he learned it from his father. I will not tell you, for it’s not the truth."
      "What is the truth?"
      "Death has always been a part of this world. It is part of life. Otherwise there would be no more room to move about. It makes room for new generations to grow and flourish. It renews the world. It makes sense."
      "I see." She sighed longingly. "But why even live, if all you're going to do is die someday? What's the point?"
      "Because if you didn't live, I couldn't put my arm around you and have these little talks." He kissed her again. "Your blood runs red with mud. It is the soil of the earth mother that binds us to the great Circle of Life. When we die, the water which is the life force returns to heaven with the morning dew. We are then freed from the mud, and freed from its pain. All except the pain of separation, and that will take care of itself with time. Remember even here the spirits of the blessed look down on us, and their prayers for us are always before the gods. Watch the night skies, and feel the love surround you. You will know your grandmother is alive."
      "I saw her, " Misha admitted. "She told me to run away before the hyenas came."
      "You saw her?" He said it like he believed her. She was glad to tell someone about it. "Grandma was shiny all over, lit up like the moon. Mother says the stars are the spirits of the great kings, but where did she go? Will she see my grandfather?"
      "The stars cannot be counted. Could there be so many kings in a hundred creations?" He smiled. "She is a star like your grandfather, and if the life she led is any measure, she'll be the most beautiful star in the sky."
 
When you love another soul, you have security,
Because the thing you choose to love will last eternally;
The secrets shared, the way she cared,
The jokes that make you smile
May go away, but not to stay
Except a little while....
 
 
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.
 
 
When you’re feeling very sad, the way you feel right now,
You will do well to realize she’s helping you somehow;
She’s holding you, enfolding you to soothe your fears away,
And when you cry, her watchful eye will see you and she’ll pray....
 
 
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.
 
      Misha lay her head on Rafiki's shoulder. "I love you."
      "I love you too." He gave her a pat. "Now how about a little snack?"
      "What'cha got?"
      "It's sweet, it's disgusting. You'll love it."
      Rafiki got the wooden bowl back out and stirred the contents up really well. He put it before Misha, who attacked it with gusto.
      "What is it?"
      "I call it elephant stew."

      The cubs watched, spellbound, as the lionesses tore past them, pursuing the water buffalo as he blundered along, bellowing in panic. Uzuri bounded in from in front, leaping upon the animal's back, her weight throwing it off balance and sending it crashing to the ground in a heap. The bull's limbs thrashed as Uzuri fastened her teeth into it's throat, cutting off the air supply.
      "Awesome! " Tanabi looked at Misha. "How does she do that?"
      Kombi snorted comtemptuously from where he sat with Togo. "Idjit. When you get older like us, you'll see. It's easy."
      Lisani elbowed Habusu who sat next to her and shook her head. "Yeah, right. You guys are so clumsy, you couldn't even tackle Timon."
      Tanabi and Misha giggled as the two brothers glared at Lisani. Though they had the gangly look typical of six month old cubs, Lisani had retained the slim and graceful look she had posessesed since she was a cub. Misha sighed as she looked at her own forelegs. At four months old, they had lost the stubby cuteness of babyhood and were lengthening out nicely, though she still thought her paws were way too big. She prayed that she would also be blessed with Lisani's luck, but she doubted it.
      Their thoughts were interuppted by Ajenti's voice. "Come on, kids, time to eat! "
      The six cubs tumbled out of the grass where they had been told to remain hidden and gamboled down the hill merrily, laughing. They quietened, however, as they approached the downed animal. Uzuri lay crouched over the forequarters, her fangs buried in the bull's neck. Satisfied that it's struggles had ceased, she slowly released her grip, a wary eye on the animal in case it was still capable of flight.
      Isha nosed her way along the animal's flank until she found a suitable spot. Nodding to herself, she cleared her throat, pausing until she had eveyone's attention. The others followed suit as she bowed her head. "Aiheu abahami, " she spoke. "Aiheu provides."
      "Aiheu abahami, " they repeated. This was not a simple rote recital, for each lion spoke from the heart, thanking their Lord for the food recieved, as well as asking for protection from injury on future hunts. Any lioness who knew her craft was well aware of the evil spirits who plagued the hunt, waiting to turn a chance mishap into a fatal injury.
      The blessing said, Isha raised her head eagerly. Seizing the spot she had previously selected with her incisors, she pulled sharply, opening the belly. She growled sharply, fighting for her position as her companions surged forward expectantly.
      Ajenti pushed in, burying her head in the carcass, her jaws working as she bolted her food greedily. Grumpily, Isha slid aside-barely; any lioness who was too timid at dinnertime would invariably go hungry. Uzuri crowded in from the other side, dexterously ducking her head in and snatching away a huge chunk of flesh, which she swallowed whole. She growled slightly at Togo and Kombi, who were sidling a little too close for her liking.
      Unpeturbed, the two cubs continued to edge closer until they were able to snatch away a sizeable piece for themselves, which they ran off with, each carrying one end whilst simeltaneously trying to yank the whole piece from the other's grasp.
      Ajenti paused to grip the haunch of the bull between her teeth. Muscles bulging with the effort, she pulled it away from the body with a sharp popping sound. She dragged it to one side and dropped it, turning to the others. "We'll save this for Nala, since she couldn't come."
      Uzuri nodded. "A good choice. Too bad she had to pull her leg like that; she'd have enjoyed this." She jerked back and growled in annoyance as Isha surged forward, burying herself up to the shoulders in the carcass. "Isha, what are you doing?! "
      Isha emerged, face stained crimson, but smiling in triumph at what she held in her jaws. "Hunter's choice, Uzuri. The heart; you brought the bull down; it's yours by right."
      Uzuri grinned at her. "Thank you, sister." She snapped up the tender morsel in two bites, closing her eyes in ecstasy.
      Isha turned back to the carcass to discover Lisani crouched calmly in her place, gorging herself for all she was worth. "Hey! What do you think you're doing?! " The young female smiled up at her aunt, but didn't move; she had found a good spot to feed from and evidently intended to keep it.
      Ajenti chuckled around a mouthful. "Isha, you taught her too well, I believe." She moved aside to give the cubs enough room to eat. "C'mon, kids."
      Misha and Tanabi edged forward tentatively, uncertain. Experience had taught them to wait their turn until the adults had satisfied their hunger before trying to take their place at the carcass. Seeing the lionesses chatting amiably, however, Tanabi concluded it was safe enough for him, anyway. He paced over to the eviscerated animal and nabbed a short length of intestine. Picking it up, he staggered off comically, the ends dragging behind him.
      Kombi saw him passing and snorted. "Naw, dummy, you ain't doin' it right."
      Tanabi stopped and glared. "Oh yeah?" he mumbled around the mouthful. "Who says?"
      "I says." Kombi trotted over next to Misha, who was apparently having trouble detaching her piece from the body. "Watch." Picking up the severed length of intestine she had been worrying, he pulled it free with a muffled snap. The cubs watched him carefully as he grasped it between his front teeth. He paused, savoring the attention. "Here's the trick. Ready?" Tanabi and Misha nodded energetically. Grinning, Kombi pursed his lips. With a loud slurp, he sucked the innards into his mouth, the end giving a final little wiggle as it disappeared into his maw. He sat back and chewed serenely, a look of utter bliss on his face. "Mmmm."
      Lisani looked over and shook her head despairingly. "Slob."
      Tanabi and Misha gaped delightedly at the older cub. "AwwweSOME! " Tanabi said. He immediately bent to his own piece and gripped it in like fashion.
      "Now, hold on, " Kombi said. "The secret is to-"
      Tanabi ignored him and sucked mightily. The innards suddenly leapt off the ground, seeming to come alive as they wrapped around his head, smacking him wetly on the cheek.
      Misha fell back, shrieking delightedly. "Oh, GROSS! Do it again! "
      Ajenti shook her head as she passed by, her stomach bulging alarmingly. "You'd better quit playing with your food and go eat, hon; there won't me much to pick from when Simba gets here."
      Isha, following behind, snickered. "Amen to that. Now there's a lion who appreciates his food! " Chuckling, the two lionesses wandered a short distance away, flopping to the grass comfortably as they began to groom each other, clearing away the crimson stains on their faces.
      Shaking the offending entrails away, Tanabi bounded over to the carcass, Misha alongside. They slinked past Uzuri, who was still busying herself with something inside, and made their way over to the remaining haunch, where Habusu sat quietly, chewing his meat and looking out over the savanna reflectively. “Hey, Habu, what’s up?”
      Tanabi batted his friend’s face playfully, the larger cub grinning down at him as he accepted the blows good-naturedly. Tanabi’s little swipes were always done in jest, unlike Togo and Kombi, who evidently felt the need to bludgeon everything they laid their paws on. Habusu returned the playful cuffs gently, then jerked his head toward the huge hunk of flesh he had been dining on. “Come on, there’s plenty left here. Besides, I’m almost full.”
      Needing no further encouragement, the cubs attacked it hungrily, enjoying the chewy tendons on the back of the leg. Yawning, Habusu sat down and began to groom himself contentedly. Finally satisfied with his efforts, he closed his eyes drowsily and rolled over on his back, splaying his gangly legs in the air.
      Misha looked over, curious, as Uzuri chucked something aside with a disgusted grunt. The round sac sailed a short distance away before coming to rest. "What was that?"
      Uzuri shook her head. "That was full of grass, hon. It's not very tasty at all. Now this, " she said, motioning with a forepaw, "is downright good eating."
      Misha peered inside, squinting. "That big brown thing?"
      Uzuri nodded. "Mm-hmm. Here." She arched her neck and leaned in, tearing the item away with her teeth. "Try a piece." She watched, intrested, as the cub bit off a tiny section. "Don't worry, 'ol Uzuri won't steer you wrong."
      Misha chewed thoughfully. "Hey, that is pretty good."
      Uzuri chuckled. "Don't eat too much of that until you get a little bigger; it'll make you sick if you do."
      Misha glanced down the length of the animal, towards the hindquarters where Tanabi sat, still gunning away at the haunch. Suddenly, her face twisted up in confusion. "Auntie Uzuri, how about that? Is it any good?"
      Uzuri looked over to where the cub was staring and grimaced. "Uh, hon, that's...kind of difficult. You'd have to be a little older before I could explain."
      "Huh? But I'm already four moons old-"
      "-and that's not enough." Uzuri looked at her sternly. "Now hush up and eat before the meat stiffens."

      Misha stared, enchanted, as the little cubs squirmed sightlessly at their mother's belly. "They're so tiny, " she whispered.
      Malaika smiled gently at her. Her labor had been fruitful; three healthy cubs lay suckling at her belly, their eyes shut tightly against the world. "You were smaller than that, as I recall."
      "Really?"
      Tanabi sat at the entrance to Malaika's cave, squirming agitatedly. "C'mon, Misha, let's go! Togo and Kombi are waiting for us."
      "Shhh! " Misha glared at him. "You're gonna scare the babies! "
      Tanabi looked skyward and rolled his eyes in frustration. "Aww, man...c'mon, Misha. Please?"
      She shook her head. "Nope. I want to stay here and help Malaika." She looked at the lioness adoringly. "She's going to show me how to take care of the cubs."
      Her playmate shook his head disgustedly. "Sissy stuff. Fine then! Stay here and watch your old babies! I'm gonna go have fun." He spun and stalked off, his lower lip stuck out in an enormous pout.
      Malaika stared after him, a frown on her face. "Honey tree, you don't have to stay here. Go play with your friends; I'm fine."
      Misha shook her head. "Uh-uh. I really want to help, Malaika. Please let me stay." She glanced over her shoulder at Tanabi's retreating form. "All he wants to do is go play with Togo and Kombi, anyway."
      Tanabi swatted angrily at an offending pebble in his path. He had been looking forward to this afternoon; he had planned to show Misha the neat joke Togo and Kombi had come up with to play on Uzuri. And now...he sighed, depressed. It had seemed funny at first, but now the whole joke seemed pointless.
      "Phooey, " he said, disgusted. "Uzuri's no fun to tease, anyway." He started to turn, intending to head back to the main cave and take a nap, when something landed on him, bearing him to the ground with a startled "OOF! " Gasping, he rose to see Togo looking down at him with a mixture of amusement and disdain on his face. "Tsk tsk, " he clucked sadly. "Fell for it again, kid."
      Kombi trotted out from behind a rock, yucking it up for all he was worth. "Sucker! How many times are you gonna get flattened before you figure it out?"
      "Shaddap! " Tanabi snapped, startling them both. "Why do you always keep pouncing on me like that? You know how much I hate it! "
      "Sheesh, calm down, willya?" Kombi peered at him, intrested. "What's got your fur on end today?"
      "Misha." Tanabi cut his eyes away, suddenly embarrassed. "She won't come and see the joke we were gonna do."
      Togo's eyes widened. "You mean the one we were gonna pull on Mom?! " He shook his head vehemently. "Naw, man, we can't pass this one up. It's the best one we've come up with yet! " He looked at Kombi worriedly. "C'mon, Tanabi, we gotta do this one! "
      Tanabi looked at the ground. "Nah. I really don't feel like it. You guys go ahead without me."
      Kombi shook his head. "We can't, remember? You have to distract Mom for us; that's why we showed it to you. You've gotta come."
      “Why don’t you take Habu instead? He’s a lot quieter than I am, anyway.”
      “That dweeb?” Togo snorted derisively. “He’s no fun. Come on, T. Let’s go.”
      “He’s not a dweeb, buzzard brains, ” Tanabi said sharply. “He’s just not into jokes, that’s all.” The prince got up, shaking himself vigorously, and turned to leave. "Sorry."