The dry dusty wasteland gave way at last to a lush savannah. Grateful to be out of the blazing sun, the two lion princes rolled into the lush grass and savored the shade of a nearby tree. Before long they were both sound asleep in the swaying grass.
The sun had nearly set when Kimba awoke. His ears twitched and then he sat up. He could hear someone crying not far off. Simba stirred when he sensed Kimba was up. When he saw how tense the other cub was, he crouched low to the ground.
"What is it?" asked the Pride Rock Prince.
But Kimba just signaled for him to be quiet. The white cub got up and crept toward the sound, his elder cousin right on his heels. A little ways away they came upon a hunter's trap. Inside was a tawny lioness cub, sobbing into her fur. She had red, fluffy fur on her cheeks and a red tuft of fur atop her head. Otherwise she was a soft golden brown. And she was clearly alone and scared. The two princes came closer to investigate.
"Hi," said Kimba softly. "What's your name?"
The female cub jumped up and backed against the cage bars. "Wh-who are you?" she asked shakily.
"I'm Kimba and this is Simba," replied the Jungle Prince. "We'll get you out of here."
"How?" asked Simba, gnawing on the bars. "This stuff is harder than rocks. What is this thing, anyway?"
"A cage," replied Kimba. "I was born in one of these."
"Born in one?" repeated the she-cub. "How did you escape?"
Kimba smiled kindly. "Let's talk about that when we get you out of here. Do you have a name?"
"Rya," said the lioness cub. "My name is Rya."
Kimba and Simba circled the cage, trying to find a way to open it. Then Kimba climbed on top of it and tugged at the rope. The door opened a tiny bit. He let go and the door fell shut. He grinned. "Simba, get up here and help me pull. Rya, as soon as you can get out of there. Ready? One, two, three!"
Together, the princes pulled on the rope and the door slid open. Rya bolted out and just made it before the boys lost their grip. Kimba and Simba leapt off the trap and landed beside Rya.
"Come on, let's get out of here," said Kimba, and they all took off running.
As Simba watched the lioness run alongside Kimba, all he could think of was his best friend, Nala. He wondered what she was doing now.