CHAPTER 9 - The Mourning Report
The winds have changed, and a sudden chill stirs me from my thoughts. I look back out over the lands. The campfire from the human's campsite has died down, I can't even see the glow against the blackness of the night. I look at the stars and the moon. Clouds have rolled in, but I can still tell that many hours have passed since I came outside. A sudden weariness takes hold of me, and I go back into my cave. This time, sleep takes hold of me.
I awaken the next morning to the sun streaming in through the entrance of the cave. I yawn and stretch. Sarabi and Simba are already outside. I walk out to join them. As soon as I say good morning to them, Zazu lands before me.
"Checking in with the morning update on the humans," he says, bowing just a bit.
"Tell me all about it."
I look over at Simba, who has since stopped chasing a red and blue butterfly. He is sitting still, deeply interested in the subject at paw.
"Well, the word is that the humans were up at dawn, breaking down camp. A lot of those flat panels we saw last night were seen being put on trucks. Rhinos, zebras, giraffes, antelope, monkeys, cheetahs, warthogs, elephants…"
"Get on with it Zazu," I say, eager to hear about the humans, not the images on the panels.
"Sorry sir," he apologizes, and clears his throat. "Anyway, they put everything on the trucks and drove away to the north. My cousins followed them until the humans were way beyond the boundaries of the Pride Lands."
"Good," I say, as a heavy weight is lifted from my heart. My fears are instantly dispelled. My family and my kingdom are safe. The humans were not dangerous this time.
"So everything is ok dad?" Simba asks.
"Yes son, everything is going to be just fine," I smile. Everything will be just fine.