Chapter four - the funeral
It was Sarabi - Mufassa's close friend.
"Mufassa, Scar, your father is dead!" she cried.
"Oh no!" whispered Mufassa.
The trio ran back to pride rock and observed the scene.
Uru lay next to her husband, tears running down her old face.
Shock had overwhelmed the twins, but the sight of their poor mother broke their hearts. At once they cuddled her and assured her that these things happened and that she had to move on.
"I can't!" Uru cried desperately.
Scar hugged her tightly.
"Mom - don't think of it as the death if a king - but the birth of one!" he said, motioning to Mufassa.
Uru looked to Mufassa and smiled through her broken heart.
Mufassa understood her and nodded.
He give his dead father and last cuddle and walked up pride rock.
He looked at the animals that had gathered to mourn the death of the king. They watched as Mufassa looked over them and they understood - they waited patiently while Scar climbed up the rock to assure his brother.
"Come on Mufassa - you going to be an amazing king who will go down in history!" he said.
Mufassa smiled sadly and roared his incredible power.
Scar fell into a respectful bow as the lionesses roared and the animals cheered at their new leader.
Scar rose with sparkling eyes.
"Who will be your queen, brother?" he asked.
Mufassa smiled as he looked at his lionesses.
One looked even more beautiful than all the rest, though they were all very pretty.
"Sarabi!" he answered.
Flattered, Sarabi stepped up to join her king - and future husband.
With him she roared to proclaim her place as queen.
Again, the animals cheered.
One baboon stood out from the rest - he was named Rafiki and he approached the lions - something no animal had ever done.
As he climbed up the rock, the lionesses roared.
"Leave him!" said Mufassa.
At once, they fell back and watched suspiciously.
Perched on his back was Zazu, a red-billed hornbill.
He nervously looked around him as Rafiki walked nearer to the king.
At last, they were just 1ft away from Mufassa - a single swipe could kill them before they knew what had happened.
But Mufassa was not interested in killing any of his subjects unless it was for food.
He was very interested in what the baboon and hornbill had to say and sat down to show he would not hurt them.
Slightly more relaxed, Zazu jumped off Rafiki's back to allow him to bow to the king. He also bowed low to the king.
"What is that you wish to ask me?" Mufassa asked.
Rafiki stood up.
"My name is Rafiki - I am a shaman. The great kings of the past have sent me to guide you and teach you. I will offer medicines to your pride your highness, and this hornbill, Zazu, will offer you security as he flies across the skies and reports to you anything that has changed for the worse in the pride lands. He has offered to become your major-domo. All we asked in return is the promise of our lives." Rafiki finished with another low bow - as did Zazu who was shaking like a tree in a hurricane.
Mufassa smiled at the two animals warmly.
"This is your first choice as king Mufassa." smiled Scar, "make it historical!"
Mufassa grinned.
"Welcome to the pride!" Mufassa grunted.
The animals once more cheered with delight.
Rafiki and Zazu sighed with relief - but of course Rafiki knew he would be accepted.
"Hehehe!" Rafiki laughed in celebration.
"We must remember this day!" proclaimed Mufassa, "It marks three happenings. The death of our father, my coronation and the acceptance of Zazu and Rafiki!"
The animals bowed and the lionesses roared.
"We will hold our wedding tomorrow." said Mufassa, nodding to Sarabi, who smiled back, "but today we will bury my father and mourn his death."
The animals stepped back as Ahadi was carried to the foot of pride rock.
Rafiki dug a reasonable sized hole and gently helped with the burial.