"Dad" Jacob asked his human father. "Why do animals kill other animals?"
Joseph snapped out of his drowsiness.
"I get it if it's for food or protection. But, why do people just kill other people? How can they be that evil, dad?"
Joseph thought for a moment. He wanted to tell his son the truth, but he didn't want to scare him.
"Son," Joseph began. "Most people always imagine they are doing the right thing, even if they commit horrible crimes. Nobody, unless they are sociopaths, can be perfectly fine with seeing themselves as evildoers. Some people will do these... mental tricks to make it seem like no matter what they are doing, it is morally right. Remember when you were little, and Kujali's cubs were bothering you, so you beat them up? Did you think, at the time, that what you were doing was evil?"
"No." Jacob replied with a little guilt.
"That's why killers do it." Joseph finished before rolling over again.
"But, there has to be some point where even the best of reasons can't justify certain things, right?" Jacob asked. "Right?"
Joseph paused, thinking of a way to tell his son what he meant. "Let me tell you a story of a horrible man named 'Adolf Hitler'..."
"So, he managed to kill eleven million people and still think that he was a hero?" Jacob asked.
"Yes, son. It was one of the most horrible points in human history. But, what I need you to understand is that Hitler, in his mind, had justification for killing 6 million Jews and 11 million people in total. It was still a horrible act, and he is still hated today by almost everybody, but he had the justification in his mind, and so to him, it was evil. I want you to understand that just because something is right in your mind, doesn't mean that it is even remotely close to right. You have to consider your actions and your words from the minds of others before you blindly act on them. Do you understand what I'm saying?" Joseph asked with a solemn tone in his voice.
"Yeah, dad. I just don't understand how anybody can be so horrible." Jacob said, shedding a single tear.
"And that's a very good and normal reaction, but I don't want you to end up like Hitler."
"Can you at least tell me that Hitler was the only one? Can you tell me that Hitler was the worst person, and nobody else could be that evil?" Jacob asked.
"No, I can't son. A man named Joseph Stalin, who actually was at war with Hitler, killed 60 million people in his life without anybody batting an eye."
"What? 60 million? How can anybody do that?" Jacob asked.
"They are evil. But they don't see themselves that way. That's how they do it. Now, go to sleep, son. I hope that you're a little more mature after hearing that story. Now, good night, son. I love you."
"Good night, dad. I love you, too."
And with that, Jacob snuggled up against his human father, hoping to get some sleep without the nightmares of the atrocities described to him by his father. However, another audience member was mulling this story over as well. Kovu heard the whole story, and was trying to stop comparing his mother to the man who started the Holocaust. But it was to no avail.
"Kovu, honey, is everything all right?" Kiara asked her mate.
"Everything is... fine, honey. I just need some water."
"Ladies, today is the day we start pursuing suspects! Now, obviously, our prime suspect here is a Cheetah who King Simba claims to go by the alias of 'Baba Nguvu'. Now, as you know, King Tojo-"
"The one who's mate you tied up?" One of the lionesses piped up.
"Yes, Dotty, that one- is coming to visit and see Kion today. So, you all are going to have to take this investigation for me. Now, Baba Nguvu, thankfully, is a very routine Cheetah. In fact, he has a morning patrol of his own. Vitani will be in charge of the the takedown. Another possibility is that a Hyena was poaching, and had to run off and leave the body, but one of the other lionesses smelled the faint smell of a Cheetah, so thankfully, our suspects are narrowed down. You know what to do. Restrain him, take him to the caves for Simba to hold a trial. I want to be so uninvolved in this that I am surprised when Baba Nguvu comes into my cave. I will be pulling security for King Tojo and Simba when they meet at the Northern Border of the Pridelands. Any questions? No? Then, Vitani, give them further instructions."
And with that Joseph was off to go see Zazu, Simba, and Kovu like he did every morning. That is, until Prince Kovu himself stopped him.
"Uh, Joseph?" The prince started, nervous.
"Yeah, Kovu, what's up?" Joseph asked, more casual today.
"Can I talk to you in private? It's about last night."
"Last night, what about last night?"
"Just follow me, please. You aren't in trouble, I promise."
After going out into a private place, Joseph saw Kiara where he and Kovu were supposed to be meeting.
"Princess Kiara! Good evening. Are you here to-"
"Kovu told me everything." Kiara cut off Joseph with a solemn and caring tone in her voice.
"What? What are you talking about?" Joseph asked.
"That man, Adolf Hitler, and his story, and how you told it to your son. I was listening." Kovu said.
"He's... having a little trouble. You see, last night when he heard your story, he started having nightmares about his mother."
Joseph thought for a moment. "His mother?" he asked. "Zira, the one that almost killed Simba?"
"Yeah. I heard how you talked about Hitler. How he killed so many innocent people and still thought it was justified. I... thought about my mother."
"Oh... That's... harsh. You're literally comparing your mother to Hitler."
"Well, when your mother beats and starves you your whole life, when she tells you that you are a failure and that your sole purpose in life is to achieve her political goals through murder, when she lies to you your entire life... it's hard not to compare her to Hitler."
"Well, I'm so sorry. I didn't mean to-"
"It's okay. Kiara and I... we talked it over. Your history lesson gave me some comfort... it at least gave me a reason as to why my mother was the way she was. But, there's still one question I want to ask you."
"What's that?" Joseph asked, sympathetic for Kovu and his mate.
For a tentative moment, a silence hung in the air until Kiara gingerly stepped forward. "Is it true?" Kiara asked.
"That they threw the babies into the fire? That they killed the pregnant mothers on sight? That they worked, starved, shot, and gassed people to death? Did any of this actually happen? Or was it a fairy tale made up to scare children?" Kovu continued.
Joseph paused. "All of that actually happened, I am afraid. I'm sorry. People can be very hellish at times, I know."
"It's okay. Maybe that means that the message still holds a lot of meaning. Thank you, Joseph. For telling me a little something about my past."
Kovu walked off, head hung a little low, enlightened but depressed. Only Joseph and Kiara remained.
"So, how is the baby coming along, Kiara?"
"Good, good." Kiara said, perhaps still a little silent from how solemn Kovu was. "Joseph... I know that you don't have much time on your hands nowadays, what with your son and the guard... but... if we can arrange it... can you tell us the history of mankind? I think... I think we lions would learn a lot from it."
"Absolutely. I'm open once every three days. I can start probably all the way from the dawn of mankind."
"Thanks, Joseph. And please... try to spend a little more time with Kovu. I know he may not show it, but... he doesn't have many close friends. I think it would be good for him."