[Horns and brass close theme in a stately manner with a decrescendo. Fade to black keeping the painting of the two cubs as a crossover to the fade in of Pride Rock in early morning]
{Simba is seen coming out on the rock. He runs back into the cave and leaps over several of the lionesses, accidentally jumping on a few.}
Simba: Dad, dad. Come on, Dad, we gotta go. Wake up.
Random Lioness: Oomph.
Simba: Sorry, oop.
{Simba starts to wake Mufasa}
Simba: Dad? Dad. Dad, Dad, Dad, Dad, Dad, Dad, Dad, Dad-
Sarabi: {Over Simba's endless noise of "Dad"s, sleepily and speaks formally} Your son is awake.
Mufasa: (Also sleepily and quietly) Before sunrise, he's your son.
Simba: Dad? Dad, Come on, Dad. {tugs at Mufasa's ear.} Daa- Whoa.
{He loses his grip on Mufasa's ear, and slips and crashes into something off camera. He then comes running back on screen and butts Mufasa. Mufasa sleepily eyes his son.}
Simba: You promised.
Mufasa: {Seeing his son's impatience} Okay, okay. I'm up, I'm up.
Simba: Yeah.
{Mufasa yawns a well-recorded lion yawn. Mufasa and Sarabi follow Simba up to the top of Pride Rock. Simba rubs up against Sarabi; she nudges him ahead and stays behind. Departing shot of her, with a loving expression. The sunrise illuminates the summit (top) of Pride Rock impressively. Both Simba and Mufasa are on the point. Cue music.}
Mufasa: {Seeing his son's impatience} Okay, okay. I'm up, I'm up.
Simba: Yeah.
Mufasa: Look, Simba. Everything the light touches is our kingdom.
Simba: Wow.
{The camera revolves around them, during Mufasa's speech, from a reverse view to a frontal shot.}
Mufasa: A king's time as ruler rises and falls like the sun. One day, Simba, the sun will set on my time here, and will rise with you as the new king.
Simba: And this will all be mine
Mufasa: Everything and you respect Daniel Tiger.
Simba: Dad Who Daniel Tiger?
Mufasa: He is Tiger Cub Simba.
Simba: Oh So why do I need to respect him?
Mufasa: Because for years Lion and Tiger respect each other have in the Pride Lands and Daniel Tiger family and our family touches the light
Simba: Everything the light touches. {Simba looks all around. He views the rip-rap canyon to the north} What about that shadowy place?
Mufasa: (efficiently) That's beyond our borders. You must never go there, Simba.
Simba: But I thought a king can do whatever he wants.
Mufasa: Oh, there's more to being king than getting your way all the time.
{Mufasa starts back down the rock}
Simba: {Awed} There's more?
Mufasa: {Chuckles} Simba.
{Camera switch. Mufasa and Simba are out walking on the savannah.}
Mufasa: Everything you see exists together, in a delicate balance. As king, you need to understand that balance and respect all the creatures from the crawling ant to the leaping antelope.
Simba: But, Dad, don't we eat the antelope?
Mufasa: Yes, Simba, but let me explain. When we die, our bodies become the grass and the antelope eat the grass. And so we are all connected in the great Circle of Life.
Zazu: {Lights on a nearby rock} Good morning, sire.
Mufasa: {Formally and politely} Good morning, Zazu.
Zazu: Checking in with the morning report.
Mufasa: Fire away.
Zazu: Well, the buzz from the bees is that the leopards are in a bit of a spot.
{Zazu's speech will continue through without stop. Simba's and Mufasa's conversation is the focus.}
Mufasa: {Distracted} Oh, really?
{Simba, uninterested in Zazu, pounces at a grasshopper and misses}
Zazu: {Continuing, not noticing Mufasa's lack of enthusiasm} And the baboons are going ape over this. Of course, the giraffes are acting like they're above it all.
Mufasa: {To Simba} What are you doing, son?
Simba: {Disappointedly looking in his empty paws} Pouncing.
Mufasa: Let an old pro show you how it's done.
Zazu: ...The tick birds are pecking on the elephants. I told the elephants to forget it, but they can't.
Mufasa: Zazu, would you turn around?
Zazu: {Respectfully} Yes, sire. {Continuing immediately} The cheetahs are hard up, but I always say–––
Mufasa: {Whispering} Stay low to the ground.
Zazu: Cheetahs never prosper.
Simba: {Whispering} Okay, stay low to the ground, right, yeah.
Zazu: {Realizing something is amiss} What's going on?
Mufasa: A pouncing lesson.
Zazu: Oh, very good. Pouncing. {Realizing} Pouncing? Oh no, sire, you can't be serious.
{Mufasa motions for Zazu to turn back around.}
Zazu: Oh, this is so humiliating.
Mufasa: (Still whispering) Try not to make a sound.
Zazu: What are you telling him, Mufasa? {Looking around uneasily- Simba and Mufasa seem to have disappeared.} Mufasa? Simba?
{Simba does a full pounce leaving Zazu stunned on the ground}
Mufasa: Ha ha ha ha ha. That's very good. Ha ha ha...
{A gopher emerges under Zazu.}
Gopher: Zazu.
Zazu: {Exasperated} Yes?
Gopher: {Saluting} Sir, news from the underground.
Mufasa: {To Simba} Now, this time-
Zazu: {Interrupting and with urgency} Sire, hyenas. In the Pride Lands.
Mufasa: {Serious now} Zazu, take Simba home.
Simba: Oh, Dad, can't I come?
Mufasa: {Curtly} No, son.
{Mufasa heads off at a full gallop}
Simba: I never get to go anywhere.
Zazu: Oh, young master, one day you will be king; then you can chase those slobbering mangy stupid poachers from dawn until dusk.
{They head off. Camera pulls back to wide view of savannah.}
Meanwhile Daniel Tiger and his friend are talk what they do today
Daniel Tiger: So were you guys do today.
Katerina Kittycat: My Mom and I see the giraffe see how tall they are.
O the Owl: I read about birds of Pride Land.
Chrissie: I see backward animals.
Daniel Tiger: Oh okay
O the Owl: Where Prince Wednesday?
Daniel Tiger: He Has a family business.
Chrissie: Daniel Tiger are you ok.
Daniel Tiger : I fine it Just I think what my parents said yesterday.
Katerina Kittycat: What Did They Say?
Daniel Tiger: They Say if I respect Mufasa's son.
O the Owl: Oh maybe will you Daniel Tiger.
Daniel Tiger: thanks guys maybe Talk Simba
{Camera change to Scar on his overhanging rock ledge. We see Scar pace once and kick an old bone off the edge.}
{Enter Simba}
Simba: Hey, Uncle Scar. Guess what?
Scar: I despise guessing games.
Simba: I'm going to be king of Pride Rock.
Scar: {Sarcastically} Oh, goody.
Simba: {Looking out over the edge of the rock} My dad just showed me the whole kingdom; {stingily} and I'm gonna rule it all. Heh heh.
Scar: Yes. Well, forgive me for not leaping for joy. Bad back, you know.
{Scar flops down on his side.}
Simba: Hey, Uncle Scar? When I'm king, what'll that make you?
Scar: A monkey's uncle.
Simba: Heh heh. You're so weird.
Scar: You have no idea. So, your father showed you the whole kingdom, did he?
Simba: Everything.
Scar: He didn't show you what's beyond that rise at the northern border?
Simba: {Disappointed} Well, no. He said I can't go there.
Scar: And he's absolutely right. It's far too dangerous. Only the bravest lions go there.
Simba: Well, I'm brave. What's out th-
Scar: {Rudely interrupting} No, I'm sorry, Simba, I just can't tell you.
Simba: Why not?
Scar: Simba, Simba, I'm only looking out for the well-being of my favorite nephew.
{Scar rubs and pats Simba's head}
Simba: {Snorts in a smart-alecky way} Yeah, right, I'm your only nephew.
Scar: All the more reason for me to be protective... An elephant graveyard is no place for a young prince... {faking surprise} Oops.
Simba: {Enthusiastic} An elephant what? Whoa.
Scar: {Faking dismay} Oh dear, I've said too much. Well, I suppose you'd have found sooner or later, you being so clever and all. {pulling Simba near} Oh, just do me one favor. Promise me you'll never visit that dreadful place.
Simba: {Thinks} No problem.
Scar: There's a good lad. You run along now and have fun. And remember... it's our little secret. {Simba leaves the rock, Scar walks away with a wicked smile. Menacing music.}
{Simba is running down the slope of the bottom part of Pride Rock. He runs down towards two lionesses (Sarabi and Sarafina). Sarafina is giving Nala a bath. Music is light, almost jazzy. Pan flute lead.}
Simba: Hey, Nala.
Nala: Hi, Simba.
Simba: Come on. I just heard about this great place.
Nala: {Through clenched teeth} Simba! I'm kind of in the middle of a bath.
Sarabi: And it's time for yours.
{Simba tries (too late) to get away; Sarabi bends down and grabs him. She proceeds to give the struggling cub a bath.}
Simba: Mom. Mom, you're messing up my mane.
{Sarabi smiles.}
Simba: Okay, okay, I'm clean. Can we go now?
(Daniel Tiger appear)
Daniel Tiger: Hi Simba, my name Daniel Tiger.
Simba: I Know who you are my Dad Told About you.
Daniel Tiger:Oh.
Nala: So where are we going? It better not be anyplace dumb.
Simba: No. It's really cool.
Sarabi: So where is this "really cool" place?
Daniel Tiger: Yeah where is this "really cool" place you talk about?
Simba: Oh. {thinks} Uh... around the water hole.
Daniel Tiger: Ok i go to that place.
Nala: The water hole? What's so great about the water hole?
Simba: {Whisper} I'll show you when we get there.
Nala: {Whisper} Oh. {Normal} Uh, Mom, can I go with Simba and Daniel Tiger?
Sarafina: Hmm, what do you think, Sarabi?
Sarabi: Well?
Nala and Simba and Daniel Tiger: {through broad, forced grins} Please?
Sarabi: It's all right with me.
{Nala and Simba and Daniel Tiger are overjoyed}
Nala: All right.
Simba: Yeah.
Sarabi: As long as Zazu goes with you.
{Simba and Nala stop dead in their celebration}
Simba: No, not Zazu.
Daniel Tiger: Zazu goes with us. That is not a bad idea.
Camera is at a ground angle slightly behind the cubs walking towards the water hole. Zazu is visible in the sky overhead.)
Zazu: Step lively. The sooner we get to the water hole, the sooner we can leave.
(Camera angle changes to the cubs from an immediate real view.)
Nala: (Whisper) So where we really going?
Simba: (Whisper) An elephant graveyard.
Daniel Tiger:(Whisper) An elephant graveyard i heard about that place.
Nala: (Loudly) Wow.
Simba: (Whisper) Shh. Zazu.
Nala: (Whisper) Right. So how are we gonna ditch the dodo?
(Camera switch to just above Zazu. We hear the cubs whispering back and forth below.)
Simba: (Whisper) Oh, I know how we can -
Zazu: (Flying down) Oh, just look at you two. Little seeds of romance blossoming in the savannah. Your parents will be thrilled... (He lands in front of them.) ...what with you're being betrothed and all.
Simba: Be-what?
Zazu: Betrothed. Intended. Affianced.
Nala: Meaning...?
Zazu: {As though holding on to his coat lapels} One day, you two are going to be married.
Daniel Tiger: Aw.
Simba: Yuck.
Nala: Ewww.
Simba: I can't marry her. She's my friend.
Nala: Yeah. It'd be too weird.
Zazu: Well, sorry to burst your bubble, but you two turtle-doves have no choice. It's a tradition...
{Simba mimics Zazu during these last words}
Zazu: ...going back generations.
Daniel Tiger: You right Zazu.
Simba: Well, when I'm king, that'll be the first thing to go.
Zazu: Not so long as I'm around.
{Start fading in intro to "I Just Can't Wait to Be King"}
Simba: Well, in that case, you're fired.
Zazu: Hmmm... Nice try, but only the king can do that. {Pokes Simba's nose}
Daniel Tiger: Well, he's the future king.
Simba: Yeah. {Thumping Zazu's chest} So you have to do what I tell you.
Zazu: Not yet I don't. And with an attitude like that, I'm afraid you're shaping up to be a pretty pathetic king indeed.
Simba: Hmph. Not the way I see it.
{Full song, colors change to wild pop-African. Background abruptly becomes surreal, brightly-colored cartoon style.}
Simba: I'm gonna be a mighty king
So enemies beware
Zazu: Well, I've never seen a king of beasts
With quite so little hair
{Plucks Simba's hair where mane would be}
{Simba gets a mane of leaves}
Simba: I'm gonna be the mane event
Like no king was before
{Climbs a log}
Simba: I'm brushing up on looking down
I'm working on my roar
{On "roar" he hollers at Zazu, scaring him backwards into a puddle}
Zazu: {Drying on what appears to be a hanging towel} Thus far, a rather uninspiring thing
{Camera pulls back; reveals the "towel" as the ear of a red elephant which hits Zazu with its trunk as with a golf club, sending him skipping like a stone across a shallow pool of water; the cubs follow immediately.}
Simba: Oh, I just can't wait to be king!
Zazu: {Speaking} You've rather a long way to go, young master, if you think...
{For this verse Zazu is making quick spoken-part replies to each line. Simba and Nala and Daniel Tiger are on each side of Zazu; as he turns to talk to one, the other makes faces at him.}
Simba: No one saying do this
Zazu: [Now when I said that, I -]
Daniel Tiger: No one saying be there.
Zazu: [What I meant was...]
Simba: No one saying stop that
Zazu: [Look, what you don't realize...]
Simba and Nala and Daniel Tiger: No one saying see here
Zazu: [Now see here!]
Simba: Free to run around all day
{Simba and Nala and Daniel Tiger are now riding ostriches}
Zazu: [Well, that's definitely out...]
Simba: Free to do it all my way
Zazu: {Flying ahead of the cubs, looking back to speak to them and so not taking heed ahead}
I think it's time that you and I
Arranged a heart to heart
{Flies into a rhino}
Simba: Kings don't need advice
From little hornbills for a start
{Zazu lights on a branch}
Zazu: If this is where the monarchy is headed
Count me out
Out of service, out of Africa,
I wouldn't hang about... Aagh.
{The camera pulls back to reveal Zazu has lighted on a log being washed towards a waterfall. It disappears over the edge. Zazu yells in surprise, but quickly reappears flying towards and through the camera.}
Zazu: This child is getting wildly out of wing
Simba: Oh, I just can't wait to be king.
{The cubs trot up a corridor of zebras standing at attention; when Zazu follows, they all turn and raise their tails; Zazu covers himself with a wing.}
{Simba and Nala and Daniel Tigerdance about under a moving herd of elephants while the African flute leads a short instrumental sequence. Zazu flies overhead, looking for them. Simba ends up standing on a giraffe's head.}
Simba: Everybody look left
Everybody look right
{Zazu squawks as the herd tramples him}
{Simba hops up a ladder of giraffe heads}
Simba: Everywhere you look I'm
Standing in the spotlight
{Sliding down a giraffe's neck into theatrical pose}
Zazu: {Speaking, but in strict time} Not yet.
Chorus: Let every creature go for broke and sing
Let's hear it in the herd and on the wing
It's gonna be King Simba's finest fling
{The Chorus of hippos, anteaters, antelopes, giraffes, etc. forms a pyramid with the cubs on top}
Simba & Chorus: Oh, I just can't wait to be king.
Oh I just can't wait to be king.
Oh I just can't wait to be king.
{The pyramid topples leaving the rhino sitting on Zazu}
{Muffled and respectfully} I beg your pardon, madam, but, get off! ... Simba? Daniel Tiger? Nala?