Simba the lion cub was sitting by by a cliff, looking very guilty. He hadn't forgotten what happened to his father Mufasa who fell from a high crevice saving him from a violet wildebeest stampede. He heard the voice of his Uncle Scar saying "If it weren't for you he'd still be alive". Simba slowly let the tears stream.
Behind him, Pumbaa the warthog was bug hunting. He was following a dung beetle and was just about to pounce it when his typical gas let off scaring it away.
Pumbaa sighed in disappointment when he saw the cub standing by himself.
"Simba?"
He didn't reply.
Pumbaa walked up to Simba who was still looking down on his paws.
"What's wrong?" the warthog asked.
"It's too difficult to explain".
"Come on," he badgered as he put a of over him comfortingly. "Tell Uncle Pumbaa what's bugging you?"
Simba gulped and said "It's about my dad. I caused his death."
"What?" Pumbaa looked surprised.
"My Uncle Scar took me to a gorge and he said Dad had a surprise for me. He told me to work on my roar which caused a stampede of wildebeests. He tried to save me and fell to his death."
Simba crouched down and started crying.
"It was an accident! I didn't mean for it to happen!"
"Aww," sympathised Pumbaa.
He nuzzled Simba and gave him a huge hug.
"It's okay, kid. Uncle Pumbaa is here."
Simba continued to sob.
"We all do things without meaning for them to happen," explained Pumbaa. "But his death wasn't your fault. It was fate's choice."
"F-fate?" Simba stammered over his sobbing which started to calm down.
"Things happen for no reason. You didn't plan this to happen. One must never blame themselves for a tragedy. You know what I reckon? I reckon he is with you right now telling you not to cry and he loves you very much. You got me and Timon now."
Simba smiled. "Yeah. I've got three dads now."
"Exactly," smiled Pumbaa. "And me and Timon love unconditionally as Daddy loved you."
Simba nuzzled his chin.
"I love you too, Uncle Pumbaa".
Timon was away on an expedition to discovered undiscovered grub holes so it was just Simba and Pumbaa tonight. They feasted on some delicious ants and caterpillars until it was time to sleep. Pumbaa lay on his back as Simba climed onto his big, soft, warm belly feeling like he was snuggling into his dad's mane.
"Good night," said Simba.
"Sleep tight," said Pumbaa. "Dream of bed bugs tonight."
He dropped to sleep instantly. Simba began to dose off comfortably as his uncle's belly drifted him up and down, up and down until he was sleeping with happiness and Hakuna Matata in his mind.