MUFASA

Chapter 1 - NAMING

It was the day of the naming to a new royal. On Pride Rock, Ockali sat next to his mate, Hunsa, and their two cubs. Kazu made the calling. Kazu was a colorful bird with five hatchlings of his own, Mazu, Lazu, Xazu, Thazu, and Zazu.

Soon the animals came in. Antelope, Okapi, Giraffe, Elephants, Zebra, and Hippos. One last animal lagged behind…

"Azanti sana squash banana," a baboon sang in the branches of a tree, his name was Rafiki. He searched wildly for a mango and his spices.

"Time for the king," he announced to himself. He began to hike for what felt like hours… to Pride Rock

Rafiki sat looking to two shiny sets of cub eyes. Then he looked to the proud parents, the King and Queen, Ockali and Hunsa.

"Two?" The lions nodded. "Which one is older?"

"Mufasa, that one… Kilari is almost a day younger. They're both male."

Rafiki picked them up and did the ritual. He handed Kilari to Hunsa as he named Mufasa first. Then he had to name Kilari, an unusually dark cub.

Ockali turned to Kazu, "You will watch over them won't you? And teach your sons and daughters, too."

"Of course, sire. My liege, they shall be safe in the care of me and my younglings."

The animals all bowed in high reverence to the new prince and his brother. From the Meerkats to the Warthogs to the Elephants, they all roared and howled in triumph and honor.

One particular lioness wasn't cheering. Her name was Jinma. She was jealous of Hunsa, and wished to be Queen. She thought of Ockali, a most handsome king, then, Hunsa went and married him. She scowled. Behind her sat the Hyenas, they were also scowling. They had once dreamed of kingship but now had to follow King's orders. They dare not offend the King muzzle to muzzle but cared not for him.

Late that night, Rafiki sat in his treetop. He drew two more portraits on his tree, the Tree of Monarchy.

"Mufasa," he muttered, "a strong leader. Kilari…" He suddenly had vision of events to come. "SSSSSCCCCCCAAAR. Death." He shrieked, knocking over everything. He scratched a few red marks on the tree, one hit Hunsa, another made a scratch down the eye of Kilari.

"Scar," this time he whispered. "He shall become the scarred one. Kilari!"