Chapter Four

The next day, Sarafina tried to apologize to Zenobia, but the young princess snubbed her.

"I was thinking we could go to the waterhole, or chase flamingos," Sarafina suggested.

"No, thank you." Zenobia turned up her nose.

Then, Sarabi came over and the girl's demeanor completely changed.

"Hello girls," Sarabi said. "What are you up to?"

"Sarabi! Fifi and I were going to the waterhole to chase flamingos! Do you want to come?" Zenobia asked.

"I can't, but it sounds fun." She smiled as Mufasa came to her side. The cubs took this as their cue to leave, but then Sarabi called, "Sarafina!"

"I know you'll help my niece become a fast runner." The new princess winked.

Sarafina smiled and ran down Pride Rock to catch up with Zenobia.

There she was, with a group of cubs her age.

"What a fun idea, Zenobia!" one girl cried.

As Sarafina watched the cubs leave, she felt anger rise within her. Before she could even growl, she felt someone loop their tail around hers and tug.

"Sundjata!" she snapped.

"Come on, let's have some real fun." He nudged her.

From then on, Sarafina stopped being exceptionally kind to Zenobia. She began spending more time with Sundjata, and learned that he considered himself a friend to all animals in the Pride Lands. He especially loved talking with Rafiki. One afternoon, while they were talking with him by the lake, he began to lecture them on the Circle of Life.

"It means that all animals are equally important, right Rafiki?" the prince asked.

"Indeed, we are all needed to keep the balance of our world. However, it does not mean that all animals can be trusted," Rafiki elaborated.

"Like hyenas?" Sarafina chirped.

"Yes, the hyenas hate lions very much. There are others as well, but in time you will learn how to judge character. Or, you will learn from being scarred." Rafiki shook his head. "It is time for you kids to head home." He playfully shooed the cubs.

As they headed home Jata wondered: "What did he mean by that?"

"Hmmm?" Sarafina asked.

"Nothing." He shook his head. "Next week, I'm taking you to meet the meerkats."

"OK," she replied.

"I'll have to teach you their customs first, but it'll be easy since you're a fast-learner," he rambled.

"Thank you." She beamed.

"You're so cute," he laughed. "I love the way your eyes sparkle."

Sarafina had no idea what to say. Jata, her friend, was coming onto her. She was not sure how she felt about him anymore. There was something just electrifying… she was drawn to his green eyes…but she knew that it was best to walk away. Once she moved, Sundjata put his front right paw on hers! Then, he moved so close that she was breathing in his scent. As Sarafina took in the warm, leafy, acacia aroma, she felt him nuzzle her cheek. Panicked, she ran to Pride Rock. At the entrance she heard her mother calling, "Sarafina!"

She looked up and both of her parents were standing on the summit. They had seen the whole thing. Now, she was doomed. She lowered her ears in shame, and slowly walked up to meet them.

"We need to have a talk," Dafina said.

The family went over to a ledge and once Fifi seemed relaxed, both adults smiled at her.

"We noticed you've been spending lots of time with Sundjata," Shujaa said.

Sarafina nodded.

"That makes us very happy my darling," Dafina elaborated.

"Years ago, we agreed to betroth you and the prince, so it is wonderful that you get along so well," Shujaa explained.

"So… I'm going to be Jata's wife?" Sarafina asked.

Her parents nodded.

Sarafina began to feel dizzy. She wondered if Sundjata knew, so she went looking for him. As she walked around; she noticed all the other girls in the pride. It made her wonder, "Why me?" Sanaa and Sauti were Sarabi's sisters— but they were too old for him. Still, there were others like Lulu and Doa… Soon, Sarafina found him on the ground talking with Almasi. Sarafina bowed, and then she heard Jata say, "My bride misses me."

"You knew!" she snapped.

"Zuzu told me last year," he laughed.

Almasi decided to leave. Then, Sarafina pounced on Jata and he allowed her to pin him.

"Why do you keep letting me win," she cried as she climbed off him.

"Because I love you," he replied.

"You have to let me try!" she insisted.

"OK." He shrugged.