Time passed quickly, and Simba had become an adult lion.
He was very similar to his father, and his red mane gleamed in the light of the Kenyan sun.
Nala was also grown: almost became a photocopy of the mother.
Every week, I passed through opposite, but incredibly close worlds: if the jungle where they lived Simba, Timon and Pumbaa seemed heaven on earth, what could not be said of the Pridelands, ruled by Scar's dictatorship, which had allowed many hyenas (who stole always the prey of lions) to live in the Pride Lands.
In addition, all the lionesses had been sexually exploited by Scar.
Despite all these problems, until then I was able to keep my secret safe...
One day, under the burning sun of the savannah, Nala came up to me -Kijana...
-Yes, Nala?-I said
-I noticed that you stay here one day and go off...-she began
-Yes, then?-I asked, not understanding where she was going with
-Why?-finally churches the lioness
I was not going to tell her to Simba, so I said, evasive:-I have many homeworks at this time...
-It's not true!-declared Nala-You're hiding something...
-Why should I hide something?-I asked, starting to interlock the fingers of the hands, which I always do in moments when I am in trouble.
Unfortunately for me, the lioness perfectly knew me and my reactions, then replied:-I know you, Kijana! When you do that it means you're in a difficult situation...
I realized that he had discovered me, so I asked her: -What informations do you want?
-I want to know where you go when you aren't in the Pridelands!-exclaimed Nala
-Right-I resigned-Tomorrow I'll take you there...
The next day, therefore, I went with Nala in the jungle, where I ordered:-Stop here!
She nodded, then I went to look for Simba.
When he saw me, the lion smiled:-Hello, Kijana!
-Hello Simba, I have a surprise for you!-I said, mysterious
-Oh! What is it?-churches Him, excited. In this respect, he had remained a puppy...
-Come with me...-I said
I didn't have time to finish the sentence, which was interrupted by screams of help: we recognized the voices of Timon and Pumbaa, and Simba rushed in their direction.
When he got there, the lion jumped on the cause of the terror of the mongoose and the warthog, which only was Nala.
The two friends, for a moment, fought, but then Simba noticed something unusual, and asked:-Nala, it's you?
-Simba?-she asked back
The two lions were recognized, and Simba ran to me, which I had witnessed the scene, to tell me:-I found Nala!
-In theory, that's was my surprise!-I answered, chuckling
The lioness told him how we all believed he was dead, that he was the true King and absurd laws that Scar was imposing to the Pridelands.
While she was speaking, I noticed the looks that the two were exchanging were sweeter than when they were puppies and I realized that their friendship was turning into a new feeling: so I, Timon and Pumbaa left them alone...
When evening came, I found Nala alone, and asked her where was his "friend", and she said:-I asked him to go home, but he refused and ran away!
So I ran to look for him, and found him sitting on a rock, watching the starry sky:-Hey, what's wrong?-I asked, sitting down next to him
-Nala has explained to you what happened, right?-answered Simba
-No, he just told me that you ran away...-I lied, with the aim to hear from him everything that had happened.
-She asked me to come back, but I cannot! The past can not be changed. My father had told that he would always be close, but apparently is not so...- said the lion in one breath, then take a deep breath.
I was about to add something, but I heard a chant in the air.
I recognized it, as there was only one animal that sang that dirge: Rafiki.
I knew that if anyone could find the right words to convince Simba to return, that was his baptizer.
The lion turned around and noticed the mandrill: -Who are you?-churches Simba
-The question is, "Who are you?"-said the baboon
-I thought of knowing it, but I'm not so sure...-sighed Simba
-I know your father-declared Rafiki
-But he's dead!-answered the lion
-No! He's alive, and now I'll let you see...-said Rakifi, leading him near a pond, and then order him-Come here to watch!
Simba saw only his own reflection, but the baboon insisted:-Look more carefully ...
A breeze rippled the water, and when it came back still, Simba saw his father's face.
-See?-announced Rafiki-He lives in you!
We heard a voice calling Simba, we looked up at the sky and noticed the image of Mufasa among the stars.
I was literally shocked, but certainly not as much as my friend lion.
-Look inside yourself, Simba-advised Mufasa-You must take your place in the circle of life!
-How can I go back?-churches Him-I am no longer what I was!
-Remember who you are-said Mufasa-You are my son, and the one true king!
After that, the vision vanished: I was almost moved, and Simba too.
I asked my friend:-You know what to do now?
-Yes!-he exclaimed-Now I know it!
I made a wink to Rafiki that, as expected, had been able to find the magic formula to convince Simba.
Simba was returning: Scar had to begin to tremble!
TO BE CONTINUED...
