The sun started to appear over the horizon as the pridelanders slept peacefully. Only one particular lion was fully awake. Ahadi stepped across the cool surface of Pride Rock as he raised his head and looked down upon his kingdom with confidence and gentle green eyes. His long black mane blew ever so slightly with the fast-approaching morning. He was soon distracted by the soft nuzzle of his mate, Uru. She smiled at him and placed her head against his.
"Up so early?" She whispered.
"It's the celebration of the day my son was born." Ahadi replied, his voice rumbled. Uru licked his muzzle.
"I'm sure he'll be up soon." She said and slinked back into the safety of Pride Rock. Ahadi sighed slightly and followed her back inside. He lay down next to her after navigating around the sleeping lionesses. Soon after falling asleep again, Ahadi felt a sharp nudge against his shoulder. He raised his head and blinked drowsily, sensing no harm.
"Our son is awake." Uru said nipping his ear. Ahadi rose to his feet gracefully and crouched down low. Uru laughed and tore across the now empty cave of Pride Rock. Ahadi chased after as she trailed her way down to the bottom of Pride Rock. She stopped abruptly and Ahadi circled around her, his fur against hers.
"Does this mean I win?" He laughed heartily.
"No, it means you need to act like the king you are around your pride." She replied, narrowing her eyes with a smile. He nodded once, but the amusement never left his eyes.
"Mufasa!" Ahadi roared with pleasure as his teenage son bounded toward him.
"Hello dad." He replied after nuzzling his mother's cheek.
"Son, I have a surprise for you." Ahadi said.
"Really?" Mufasa raised an eyebrow with a crooked smile.
A beautiful lioness, around Mufasa's age approached the family.
"Sarabi." Ahadi purred.
"Hello Ahadi…Uru….Mufasa." She bowed slightly and then turned her attention to Mufasa. Reached her paw to her shoulder she brought down a small baby bird in her paw.
"Your father wanted you to have him." Sarabi said, setting the little blue bird on the ground gently.
"His name is Zazu." Ahadi mumbled, watching his son's expression. Mufasa laid down on the ground, the baby bird in between his front legs.
"Where did you find him?" Mufasa's eyes filled with sympathy for the tiny creature.
"Sarabi actually found him, and I thought you could understand the true meaning of the circle of life. Not everything in life has to be something we eat." Ahadi said. "This also means, that I have chosen you as my son, which is why your brother is no where to be found today. I told him yesterday and he was not too pleased." Ahadi finished with a depressed sigh.
Mufasa stood with his mouth slightly agape and bowed.
"Dad…I don't know what to say." He mumbled.
"You are the rightful king son." Ahadi replied.
"Congratulations Mufasa." Uru smiled.
"Thanks mom." Mufasa replied.
Mufasa cocked his head to the side and watched as the tiny bird stood and climbed onto his paw.