The First Prideland Pride
The once used to be desert flourished in flora and fauna. Mohatu's dream had come true. He sat at the tip of pride rock with Ezra by his side. The King and Queen were very proud of their new home. Each of their cubs were known throughout the land. The five sisters, Hodari, Skadu, Jua, Liefde, and Leeu were little hunters by nature. Ahadi, the new Prince, was a dreamer.
"When I am King Father, I will be the greatest King there ever was,"he said as he pranced around. Ezra took the girls hunting while Mohatu took Ahadi around the Pridelands and explained to him what it takes to be king. "Ahadi, to understand the role of King, you need to understand the Circle of Life. A King's time as ruler, rises and falls like the sun. When the sun sets on my time here, it will rise with you my son as the new King. Everything you see before you exists together in a delicate balance. As King you need to respect all of the creatures even though some of them are so small like ants and others we kill to survive such as the leaping antelope. When we die our bodies become the grass and the antelope eat the grass. In one way or another Ahadi, we are all connected in the great Circle of Life." Ahadi stopped prancing around and started to get concerned and not willing to be King. "I understand Father but how will I know when I am ready to be King? I am so used to having you here to guide me. How will I know when it is my turn?" Mohatu grinned at his son. "You will know son. It will just be a natural instinct." "We will always be together, won't we Father?" Mohatu stopped in his tracks and put his head down and looked at the ground. Ahadi strutted back over to his Father and nuzzled his fur. "Ahadi, it is time I told you the story of the Great Kings. Watch as the stars come out right above us." The stars appeared in the sky all over the savannah. One by one the stars came out and each one with a tone brighter than the other. Mohatu and Ahadi walked back to Pride Rock and sat at the tip underneath the stars. Mohatu looked at the stars and started to tell the tale of the Great Kings.
"Ahadi, let me tell you something that my Father told me. Every King that has come before us is now a star in the sky. The first King, Koning, is the brightest star in the sky. Many of the other Kings are up there as well including my Father; your Grandfather. His star is always the one closest to the moon. My Father, Mfalme, was a great King and I hope to follow in his footsteps. The Great Kings of the Past are looking down on us from those stars. One day Ahadi you and I will be Great Kings of the Past. When I am gone, remember that those kings will always be there to guide you; and so will I." The clouds grew dark and the winds picked up and blew leaves throughout the Pridelands. Ahadi stood tall and proud at the tip of Pride Rock as Mohatu walked back into the den. "I will be a great king,"Ahadi said. "I will be one of the Great Kings just like my Grandfather." He stood there tall and proud and looked at the stars above him. "I will be the best king ever,"he said triumphantly. Determined to be the best king he could be, Ahadi walked into the den and slept next to his Father. "I want to be just like you Dad; a great king."
Many days and nights passed throughout the Pridelands. All of the young cubs grew to be fabulous adults. The five girls had sleek golden fur that glowed in the sun like the sand in the desert. Ahadi grew a sleek black mane as dark as a ravens feathers. Mohatu and Ezra were so pleased to see their children grow into mature adults.
Mohatu and Ezra lay inside the den resting while Ahadi wandered around the Pridelands observing the beauty around him. Ahadi stopped by the watering hole and lapped up a good taste of water. As he had his head bent down he could see the reflection of another lion standing right behind him waiting for her turn at the watering hole. Ahadi turned around and saw the most beautiful lioness he had ever seen. He stopped dead in his tracks and looked at her eyes; deep blue. He looked at her fur and saw the sleek shiny coat; almost a shiny white from a distance but clear up close. "Excuse me,"she said. Ahadi didn't reply. Her voice was a hypnotizing high pitch that could put any lion, even the strongest lion into a deep trance like state. "Are you finished drinking?" "Oh... Uh... Yes, go on ahead,"said Ahadi. As lioness bent over to take a drink, Ahadi saw a strange blue blur coming at his head. He dodged the blur as it came closer and almost hit him on the head. The blur came back from the other direction and landed on the females shoulder as she rose her head up. "Meisie what are you doing here,"cried the blur. It turns out that the blur was actually a hornbill and he knew the lioness. "You are needed at home. We must go back now,"he cried, flapping his wings sending a gust of wind towards Ahadi's face. "Oh Zazu, your embarrassing me,"Meisie complained. "I don't want to go home. The land is all dead now that the hyenas are there. They have made all of the green disappear and there is barely enough water for my brother. We came here on a mission and that was to find the shaman who lives here and get Usiku back to health or else the hyenas with be at his throat faster than a cheetah. We have to save my brother." They started to walk away and Ahadi stood there thinking to himself. "I wish I could help her find the shaman,"he thought. "If only there was some way I could be of assistance." Just then, an antelope appeared on the other side of the watering hole. "Hey,"Ahadi called towards the drinking creature. The antelope became scared and ran off. Ahadi chased after him and cut him off at the top of the gorge on the other side of the Pridelands. "Please," he cried. "Please don't eat me. I was only trying to get a drink." The antelope quivered in fear while Ahadi just stared at him unamused. "I'm not gonna eat you,"said Ahadi. "I just wanted to ask you a question." "Oh,"said the antelope. "I need to know where I can find a shaman. He lives here in the Pridelands. Do you know where I can find him,"asked Ahadi. The antelope stopped shaking and gained enough confidence to walk over to the intimidating Ahadi. "I can tell where his, but you cannot say that you heard from me,"the antelope ordered. Ahadi agreed to his request and spoke every word he knew of the shaman.
Apparently, the shaman was called Rafiki and lived in the large tree that stood in the middle of the Pridelands. Ahadi ran to the giant tree and stood at the bottom and called "Rafiki! Old, wise and mystic. I come seeking your help. Leaves started falling from the trees and the winds blew and brushed Ahadi's mane back. A laughing sound came from the tree tops and soon were visible by a near tree branch. A shadow appeared on the tree branch and spoke "Who called Rafiki?" "I have,"spoke Ahadi. The shaman poked his head out of the shadow and jumped down to the bottom of tree right in front of Ahadi. Ahadi stared at the baboon for a few minutes and studied his features. He carried a stick with rattling gourds attached to the top. He had several markings on his face and whiskers below his chin along with a thin, slender body with boney bones on the inside. "Rafiki heard your call and wondered what he can do to help." "Someone is in need of help,"said Ahadi. "Aaaaahhhhh,"said Rafiki, pulling his whiskers. "You have a friend in need. Her brother is ill and you want old Rafiki to make medicine and have brother feeling all better." "That's true,"said Ahadi. "Old Rafiki can help brother,"he said and ran off into the distance. "You follow old Rafiki he knows the way, c'mon." Rafiki lead Ahadi into the Shadowlands also known as the elephant graveyard. Ahadi was amazed with what he saw. There was no sun; just the dark clouds which turned the whole scenery gray. Ahadi could see Meisie ahead of him with annoying Zazu on her shoulder and a young cub sitting next to her. The rattle of Rafiki's stick made the little one turn around afraid that there was danger. "Meisie, there somebody behind us,"cried the young lioness. "Uru, I think its okay. This is the lion I met at the water hole. Maybe he can help us,"said Meisie. "Yes, Yes. Rafiki can help sick brother,"said Rafiki. In front of Meisie lay her sick brother, Usiku. Rafiki walked over to the sick lion and sat next to him. He shook his stick over his body and sang a chant that was both amusing and healing. "Asante Sana, Squash Banana, Way Wenenu, We Wanana." The mystic shaman held a gourd above his head and cracked it open. He put some of the juice in his hand and rubbed it over the lions forehead for protection and a small portion in his mouth to feel hydrated and cure and sickness. Ahadi walked over and sat next to Meisie. For the first time, Usiku sat up and stood on all fours; awake and alert. "What happened," he said. "Why do I feel so dizzy and exhausted?" "You feel tired for sometime now but thanks to old Rafiki you will be back normal sooner than later. "I don't how to thank you for saving my brother. I send you deepest gratitude,"said Meisie, almost in tears; happy to see her brother alive. "Old Rafiki can barely accept thanks for Rafiki would not have saved brother if weren't for friend Ahadi." Meisie stared at Ahadi in astonishment. "I don't know how to thank you Ahadi. You saved my brothers life." "I only wish I could do more to help you. Why do you live here? There is no sun, no green, no water not even an solid piece of land. How do you live here how do you survive,"asked Ahadi. "The hyenas are the rulers. They chased our parents out of the Shadowlands. They claimed control and make us work. If only-,"paused Meisie. She looked around; nobody was there. The rattling of bones could be heard all around them but nobody was seen. The hyenas chuckled but were still hidden. "You must go,"Meisie demanded. "You must go now before anything happens. Please I don't anybody to get hurt you must go; Now!" The hyenas soon appeared out of the large elephant skull which gave the elephant graveyard its name. The alpha female came out with her three cubs trailing behind her. "Its Lelik,"Meisie muttered. Everyone took a step back. "Well, well, well; it looks like company kids. Who did you invite to dinner Meisie? Your boyfriend and a monkey? Well they ain't staying,"cried Lelik, the alpha. Uru stared at Lelik and then hid behind the comfort of her sister. "Everyone, run, get out of here,"cried Meisie. "I not gonna leave you,"Ahadi said in panic. Usiku started running with the others behind him. Ahadi kept his feet firmly on the ground not willing to move. The three hyena cubs chased after the others, tripping over their feet every step they took. "C'mon Banzai,"called the little female, Shenzi. "I am comin'. Let's go Ed," called one of the little males, Banzai. The little hyena, Ed just laughed all the way. Lelik held her ground staring directly at Meisie, growling at her. Ahadi just stood there ready to pounce on Lelik if she tried to harm Meisie. Lelik leaped into the air and pounced Meisie to the ground. Ahadi whacked Lelik in the face and sent her to the ground. Meisie and Ahadi ran off into the distance, further into the elephant graveyard. Lelik got back up and chased them into the distance. They all kept running until Lelik caught up and grabbed a hold of Meisie's leg. Meisie screamed in pain and struggled to get away from Lelik's crushing jaws. Ahadi turned around and ran back to help Meisie. He slashed Lelik across the jaw and once again sent here flying. Lelik landed in a bone pile and just laid there. Meisie and Ahadi continued to run.
When they finally got away from Lelik, Meise collapsed to the ground. She laid there for a few minutes and had a hard time getting back up. Ahadi sat there next to Meisie watching her suffering in pain. Ahadi looked at Meisie's back leg; it was completely torn and ripped to shreds. Then her back also had some slash marks on it. Mesie began to drift into unconsciousness. Ahadi looked at her in astonishment and began to shed tears. "I love you Meisie,"he said. "And I love you too Ahadi,"said Meisie. "I need you to do me a favor Ahadi." "I will do anything for you Meisie,"he said. "I need you to bring Usiku and Uru back to the Pridelands with you. Zazu will follow along to accompany you on your journey. If I do not return to you within the fourth night of your departure, I will no longer be here. I would really appreciate it if you marry my sister instead of me that fourth night. Zazu will make the announcement after your first born cub. Please, will you do me this favor,"Meisie asked. Ahadi looked at Meisie's eyes and just watched as she faded. "I promise to you that I will take care of your siblings and I will marry your sister,"he said. "Take care of them... My Love,"said Meisie as her soul drifted into the heavens with the Great Kings. Ahadi sat there for a few moments and stared at Meisie's body. He shed tears in her honor and then walked back to the Pridelands. He arrived back at Pride Rock when night fell. Usiku and Uru sat in front of Rafiki's tree with Rafiki and Zazu standing right next to them. Ahadi held his head low and shed more tears. Usiku could tell what had happened. "Ahadi... Is my sister coming back?" Ahadi explained to Usiku what Meisie had explained to him. "I know she is gone but I am still going to do what she told me to do. On the fourth night, I will officially make Uru my mate and I will have Zazu spread the announcement of our first born cub." Uru walked over Ahadi and nuzzled his leg. "I will wear the title of your wife with pride until the day I die,"she said. "I will love you with all my heart and when I become King, our cub will be royal,"said Ahadi.