Meerkats
I knew I was just asking for trouble. If Mufasa found out his pride was making extra kills to feed hyenas, he would be furious. If the hyenas found out the food I left for them had been killed by lions, they would accuse me of trying to increase rivalry between the two species. All it would take is the slightest error, such as the lions failing to deliver the meat at the specified time or tarrying too long in the area afterwards, and either side would gladly target my litter as revenge. I needed someone to make sure my plan was going smoothly, someone who was practically invisible. After giving the matter considerable thought, I decided to try my luck with the local meerkat colony.
When I arrived, most of the meerkats were gone. One was foraging near the burrows, but the rest had left to find food elsewhere. I lay down comfortably, observing the little creature scurrying about.
"What's the news in these parts?" I asked nonchalantly.
It flinched at the sound of my voice, rushing back to the nearest tunnel.
"You're babysitting while the rest of the colony goes out looking for scorpions and lizards, aren't you?" I continued. "That's the way among meerkats, leaving their young with a babysitter while everyone else goes out on an adventure."
The meerkat frowned. "Don't you have a guilty conscience eating someone after friendly conversation, or do you cheetahs have no souls?"
I chuckled. "Don't flatter yourself."
"If you mean I'm not good enough for you to eat, I've never had a higher compliment!"
"You never answered my question," I reminded her. "I asked if there was any news."
She sighed. "You cheetahs are so fortunate! How wonderful it must be to live alone! Even your marriages never last long! You don't have to live in large families like we meerkats or even the lions do."
I nodded sympathetically, watching a little cloud of dust underneath the nearest tree. Slowly, I began slinking toward it.
"Look out!" the meerkat warned.
It was too late. In a burst of speed, I had already pounced on my quarry, the youngest meerkat.
"Not very good at your job, are you?" I asked the babysitter. "Here." I held out my paw.
"I don't understand."
"I'm not eating this," I explained. "Take it. It's yours."
At that moment, the other meerkats arrived. Although causing trouble among the colony members had not been my original intention, I recognized an opportunity when I saw one, so I held my peace as the little meerkat scurried from my paw.
"Trying to feed my young to the cheetah, are you?!" the meerkat matriarch demanded angrily. "For this, I hereby exile you from the colony!"
This was not an uncommon punishment among meerkats. Many were temporarily forced to leave until they found their way back into their matriarch's good graces. However, not all survived that long.
"Please!" The babysitter fell to her knees. "Please don't banish me!"
"Be gone!" the matriarch ordered.
"Have you never wanted adventure?" I queried. "Now's your chance!"
The babysitter seemed to get an idea. "Hey! Wait a second! Since you don't eat meerkats, can I come with you?"
"Why?"
"Well, you see," she began, "I know you cheetahs live alone, so I could be your sentry. I could warn you if any animals were approaching to steal your food. Do you have cubs? I could be on guard duty to make sure nothing harms them! In exchange, maybe you could give me a place to stay where I'm less likely to be eaten?"
I pretended to consider the matter. "How are you at espionage?"
"I don't understand."
"Lions and hyenas hunt above ground. Meerkats hide below ground. You're also small, far less conspicuous than giraffes or elephants. I want to know about every movement of the other species around my home. Above all, I want you to befriend that ridiculous gopher that sometimes brings Zazu messages."
After thinking it over, the meerkat decided that the conditions were acceptable, so she followed me home.
My mate tilted his head. "What…?"
"She has agreed to commit necessary espionage and stand guard if we promise she will not be harmed," I explained. "We'll know what the rest of the realm is plotting before they finish their schemes!"
The meerkat's eyes widened in surprise. "I didn't think cheetah marriages lasted! I didn't know cheetahs raised cubs together!"
"Most don't," my mate replied, "and I feel sorry for them."
At first, I regretted my decision. It was a bit annoying not knowing when or where the meerkat would pop up next. However, the knowledge I gained was definitely worth a few slight inconveniences.
I shall never forget the day I met up with Zazu again. He was sitting in a tree, muttering to himself about something or the other.
"Bravo!" I greeted. "How clever the king must be! How greatly his enemies fear him!"
He glared at me. "I fail to see how the king's matters are any of your concern!"
"I know that the hyenas are growing bolder," I responded. "They even came up to Pride Rock itself a few nights ago."
"We are quite capable of defending ourselves, and mocking the king is high treason!"
"Wouldn't it be far more helpful to know where the hyenas plan to strike next?"
Zazu crossed his wings in front of him. "What do you want, scavenger?! Is it not enough that we must feed you each week?! If other animals are eating the kills the lionesses leave for you, that's no longer our problem!"
I shrugged. "I've had no trouble. However, it is as you say. You have indeed been leaving the kills, as we have bargained."
"A bargain we may forget if this insolence continues!" he warned. "You cheetahs are the fastest animals. Take care your quick tongue does not get you banished from this realm!"
"Was not my part of the bargain to cause no more trouble among lion cubs? I simply wondered if that included doing what I could to prevent other species from harming them. However, if it does not, I will silence my quick tongue and keep this information to myself. My apologies for having interfered with the king's business."
With that, I turned to go.
"One moment, madame!" Zazu flew down and perched on a rock just in front of me. "Have you been talking with the hyenas themselves?!"
"I would talk with any species if it proved beneficial, but right now, I'm hungry." I walked past him.
"Wait!" he ordered. "If you have information that would benefit the pride, I must know!"
I ignored him and continued walking.
"We'll give you an extra kill this week if the information is good!"
I stopped and turned slightly. "Three acacia groves to the west, just past the boulder. I would patrol it if I were you."
That evening, Queen Sarabi herself brought a kudu. I was so famished that I barely thanked her before I began my meal. No sooner had she left than a group of hyenas wandered into the vicinity.
"Kindly allow me to enjoy my meal in peace!" I swallowed another bite before reminding them, "This isn't my weekly tribute!"
"What if we did something else for you this week?" one suggested.
I thought a moment. "If I allow you to have this carcass, will you stay out of the Pride Lands until it's time for my regular gift to your queen?"
They agreed, and I allowed them to have my meal.
Everything about my agreement with the lions and hyenas existed together in a delicate balance. I should have known the day would arrive when the inevitable occurred.
