The Lion King
Tale of a Wanderer
Chapter 1:
Mwezi
Some time during Simba's reign as King, a baby lion is born, somewhere outside of the Pride Lands. Instead, this cub is born in a luscious jungle, the original home of Timon and Pumbaa, which now belong to Timon's family. Some time after the cub's birth, one night, the parents disappear to search for food, but never came back. The cub lies perfectly still in a large bush of huge green leaves. One of the Meerkats, Timon's Uncle Max, was up late that night looking for a quick grub to grab. He sees the bush, knowing something is there. As he moves the leaves, he stumbles upon the baby lion, sound asleep and purring.
"{This cannot be good.}" he thinks as he looks around for the parents, but can't even pick up their scent. He looks back at the sleeping cub and says, "I better get you to Ma."
Some three months later, the cub is able to move and function properly. Ma and Uncle Max serve as "parents" to the cub, although she calls them as such. As the cub plays with the other Meerkats, Ma and Uncle Max start deciding on a name for the cub.
"Well, the cub's a girl, so she deserves a nice name." Ma says.
"Mmm, what about something like, Fluffy? Her coat's unusually thick." Uncle Max suggests.
"No. C'mon Max, think."
"Poofy?"
"How about Mwezi? It's pretty and you did find her during the night."
"It's your cub."
Yup, that's me, Mwezi, the three-month-old cub. My fur is unusually thick, and fairly dark. I even have a tuft of hair on my head. Although living with Meerkats is fun, I can't help but dream what life outside the jungle must be like. So one night, I sneak away from the jungle, and find myself among really tall grass, under a full starry sky with the moon shining brightly. I soon come upon a log over a river. As I try to start crossing it, something ahead starts moving the grass. I duck and cover my head, not knowing what the hell I just got into. Out onto the log appears a King, with an odd red mane.
"Huh? What are you doing out here, and so late at night?" he asks.
I look up and reply, "Exploring."
"Kinda late for an exploration. Where are your parents?"
"Dunno. They disappeared on me as a newborn."
"What? Then, how have you been living all this time?"
"A big family of Meerkats."
"Oh boy. I hope you don't think you are one."
"No."
"Well, it's dangerous out here at night. You better come back with me."
"To where?"
"The Pride Lands."
"Pride Lands?"
"You don't know what it is?"
"I've been living in a jungle; it's where I was born."
"Makes sense. What's your name?"
"Mwezi."
"Simba. Hmph, I have a little girl at home myself. Maybe having a sister will calm her down."
"You have a cub?"
"Yup. Her name's Kiara. You'd like her."
So I follow Simba back to his pride, and was overwhelmed by the beauty of the Pride Lands. I was a little bit nervous at how Ma and Uncle Max would react to me being gone, but maybe this was probably the best idea I've had growing up. Then came Pride Rock! It was huge, way bigger than the trees I knew. As Simba ascends, I stand below. He stops seeing I haven't attempted to climb.
"What's wrong, Mwezi?" he asks concerned.
"It's this place…it's huge!" I reply.
"There's no need to fear it. This is Pride Rock."
"…"
"Do you know how to climb?"
"My claws are too dull right now…"
"Dull?"
"Mmph, one of the Meerkats I know likes to file my claws."
"Well that's not good. Alright, hold on."
He comes back down and carefully lifts me up by the scruff and carries me to the top where a cave lies in wait for his return. He puts me down and begins to walk in, till he's caught off guard by a lioness, and she was pretty.
"Simba, where did you go?" she demands. Her voice was gentle…although right now it was demanding.
"I was just scouting, that's all." he replies. She shoots him a look.
"Okay, I was marking a path for Kiara. Which reminds me, I found a cub." he admits, moving aside so I'm seen.
"Aww, she's adorable! But, where's her-?" she asks. Simba shakes his head.
She looks back over and approaches. She sits down and says, "I'm Nala, Simba's mate. What's your name?"
"Mate? Like a spouse or something? And, it's Mwezi." I reply.
"Um, yeah, like that. I'm loving your fur. How is it so puffy?" she asks.
"I'm not sure. Probably an effect from being in a jungle." I answer.
"Uh, Nala, you and Mwezi can talk in the morning. She's looking tired." Simba says.
"Yeah you're right. Well, c'mon Mwezi. Welcome to the Pride." Nala says standing up.
The next day, I'm still dead asleep. That is, until I'm pounced on.
"Gah!" I yell.
"Kiara, that wasn't nice." Simba says.
"Daaaad, she's been sleeping all morning!" Kiara whines.
I come around from the sudden wake and sit up, trying to gain my vision.
"Augh, man, I'm still tired." I say rubbing my eyes.
"Morning sleepy head." a Meerkat says. I turn and find him on the back of a warthog and cock an eyebrow.
"Mwezi, meet Timon and Pumbaa, they're my friends. They live here too." Simba introduces. I simply wave, still confused.
"Hey there Mwezi, I'm Kiara." the cub says. I wave again.
"What's the matter Mwezi? Not used to the place?" Simba asks.
"Sorta, and I'm hungry." I reply.
"Nala and the lionesses should be back shortly. Why don't you and Kiara go play for a bit?" he says.
A bit reluctant, I get up and follow Kiara outside. As she descends Pride Rock, I look and watch how she does it. Descending was never my thing. She makes it all the way to the bottom and finds me still atop.
"Come on Mwezi, don't tell me you're afraid of heights!" Kiara calls.
"I-I'll be right there!" I call.
I then try looking for short jumps, which fails as my first attempt is a massive fall to the ground.
"Ouch. Are you okay?" Kiara asks.
I get up, shaking it off and reply, "Yeah, I think so."
"Good! Let's go! I'll show you around!" she says.
Just what I needed, more energy wasted. Well, it would've been a tour, but the lionesses had returned with success. I was kinda freaked at the sight of a dead animal; I grew up on bugs; they have protein.
"Wow, that's a big antelope!" Kiara says trotting over.
Timon and Pumbaa soon land in front of me with Timon saying, "We'll be back in a while. You know us, Big Guy." And Pumbaa trots off with Timon on his back.
Simba steps in front of me and notices the freaked expression and asks, "What's the matter?"
"…I don't think I've ever seen this before!" I reply.
"Sorry, but this is what lions eat." Simba says.
"Are you serious?" I ask.
Nala walks over and asks, "What's wrong?"
"I don't think Mwezi realizes she's a lion." Simba replies.
"Looks like someone needs to learn the ways of lions. Come on Mwezi, you're a meat eater. What did you think those sharp teeth were for?" Nala says.
"I dunno." I reply looking away.
"Mwezi, you better hurry up before it's all gone!" Kiara calls.
"It's up to you, Mwezi." Simba says.
They walk over to the catch. My stomach growls. It was now or never. I join in, being handed a piece by Kiara. I take it and place it in front of me.
On the first lick I suddenly realized, "So this is what I've been missing!"
"Now she knows." Nala says as I happily dig in.