Chapter 10
The difference beetween respect and fear
"Your dad probably already told you a thing or two about leadership and the difference between having your subjects respect you and having them fear you?"
Asked Kuhisha probing,
"Not really. He's mostly given me lessons patience and diplomacy. You know, always be fair with your friends. Don't be arrogant, that kind of stuff.
He goes on and on about how being a prince doesn't mean I get to talk down to everyone." Mused Simba.
"I wonder why." Chuckled Nala.
"Shut up." Responded Simba, playfully." I know I'm a bit cocky at times , but it's not that bad"
"Well, anyhow" Said Kuhisha, "the point is this. You lead people , that means they need to trust you.
They must know that you know when to fight and when to stand down."
.
He stopped and took an intimidating stance in front of Simba.
"What would you do if I told you that Nala is a pathetic b***h and a waste of space." Kuhisha Asked calmly.
Simba instinctively pounced on Kuhisha, who had seen this coming and redirected the force of Simbas pounce into nothing.
Simba landed flat on his face.
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"That is exactly how you're not supposed to react." Said Kuhisha with a sly grin." By the way , Nala you're obviously not a waste of space or pathetic."
"Thanks...I guess." Answered Nala
"OK, but how am I supposed to react?" Asked Simba as he got back up.
"The way you reacted a few days ago when you didn't react to my taunts. I'm actaully confused why you couldn't control yourself this time." Said Kuhisha.
"Well...that was different . You were just going against me. But now you went against Nala. I just don't like it when my friends get attacked." Reasoned Simba.
"So you jump into action without giving it a second thought. Even though that might be exactly what your opponent wants." Asked Kuhisha.
"Yeah, you are a bit overenthusiastic , Simba," Added Nala.
"You didn't even consider if I wanted to defend myself. I don't always need to have someone jump into action for me.
Although I must say it was kind of sweet in a thick-headed way." Chuckled Nala.
.
Simba blushed. "I wasn't really thinking " Admitted Simba.
"It's okay, that's why I'm giving you advice. Let's just take it from the top." Said Kuhisha
"As I said imagine I just said, Nala is a pathetic b***h and a waste of space." Said Khisha
Simba still growled but didn't move. "Why would you say that? " He said still anger in his face.
"Well" Started Kuhisha "who knows, maybe I don't like Nalas face , what is it to you? Can't she defend herself ?" Kuhisha went on.
"Of course she can. However I don't see why she should bother with you if you don't like her anyway." Said Simba
" The truth is probably that she's to weak to fend for herself " Teased Kuhisha.
"That's not true , she is able to pin me down and..."
"So you're weaker than a girl ?" Interjected Kuhisha,
"Shut up. " Barked Simba furious and once again pounced at Kuhisha.
Kuhisha managed to evade Simba yet again.
.
"There we go again. Did this one jab really get you that much. Talk about insecurities." Muttered Kuhisha.
"I'm not insecure. " Pouted Simba.
Kuhisha chuckled. " If you say so. So you would admit that Nala is stronger than you?"
Simbas face went red. " I ...no ...you..." He muttered.
"Hold on . I think you're not going to get anywhere Kuhisha. At least not like this. " Said Nala as she intervened.
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"Simba." Nala approached Simba.
"Yeah ?" Simba said.
Nala pinned Simba down.
"Hey." Opined Simba.
"Would you admit that I'm stronger than you ?" Asked Nala with her usual cheeky smile.
"You probably won't let me up until I say so. So yes you are stronger." Said Simba ,annoyed.
Nala gave Simba a kiss on his nose with a giggle." Alright now tell me something you're better at than me, my sweet prince." She asked.
"Er...what" Asked Simba,still confused." I don't know I guess I..."
.
"What exactly are you trying to do here, Nala ? " Asked Kuhisha
"Simple, I'm trying to boost his self-esteem." Answered Nala
"And how is having me pinned down helping my self-esteem ?" Asked Simba visibly confused.
"Well you'll know once you answered my question. What are things you are better at than me ?" Asked Nala.
" I'm stronger than you." Simba blurted out.
"We already got this sorted out. I'm literally holding you down. How about this , do you remember that time I got stuck on top of that rock pillar ?"
"Yeah, I had to help you down cause you are scared of heights." Answered Simba.
"Exactly. You told me to climb down backwards, because that way I didn't have to look down and you could hold my paw. You told me to look at you while you climbed facing down. That was really brave of you. Afterall you had to look down the entire time.
Do you now know anything you might be better at than me." Asked Nala with a warm smile.
"I guess I'm more brave than you." He answered.
"Exactly" Said Nala as she gave Simba a lick on the muzzle and jumped off of him.
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"So you just need to keep that in mind. You are willing to approach a foe who is bigger than you without any fear. You won't back down. So stand your ground and instead of attacking outright, just extend your claws into the earth bellow you. Feel the dirt and stand there like the fluffy prince you are." Explained Nala.
"You know fluffy isn't really an imtimidating word. " Remarked Simba.
"I know, but you are fluffy." Said Nala while nuzzling him.
Simba purred in response.
"Alright,so what you're saying is I'm supposed to just stand there?" Simba Asked.
"Yup. Not backing down but also not attacking. They don't get to move you, unless they move." Explained Nala.
"Right, you are the leader and the leader is supposed to keep cool." Added Kuhisha.
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"So let's try my little exercise yet again." He said and Sat down opposite Simba.
"Let's say I just called Nala a pathetic b***h and a waste of space." Said Kuhisha.
"Now why would you say something so rude about my friend." Responded Simba.
"I dunno, maybe I don't like her face. Why does it matter to you, is she your girlfriend? Or is she to weak to speak for herself?" Asked Kuhisha.
"She's my friend, anything else is none of your business , ok? So apologize now and I'll let it slide." Argued Simba.
"Why doesn't she ask me to apologize? Huh? Is she scared of me or something?" Kuhisha went on.
"I want to take care of this because she's my friend and I don't like you talking to my friends like that. She can very well defend herself, she's even..." Simba hesitated
"She's even stronger than me." He finished.
"So a girl is stronger than you?" Kuhisha asked, giving his voice a mocking tone.
Simba growled at Kuhisha but followed Nalas advice and extended his claws into the dirt, feeling the dirt.
"Yeah, so ?" He asked, not moving an inch.
" So you are a girl." Said Kuhisha.
Simba cocked his head to the side.
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"OK, I know you are just imitating an unreasonable person but that was really dumb."Said , Simba sounding irritated." If a Nala as a girl is stronger than me then how exactly is it an insult to call me a girl." He asked.
"Alright, if that doesn't push any of your buttons , how about this." Kuhisha cleared his throat." A girl is stronger than you and you are supposed to be the future king?
That's pathetic. You could never lead a pride like that." Said Kuhisha.
"I..." Simba started , trying to find a good response.
This actually hit him right in a very vulnerable spot.
He always liked to brag about being the future king, but the idea of actually governing sounded scary to him.
Plus, he didn't want to disappoint his father.
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"No words? Then move, kiddo." Said Kuhisha, motioning to pass Simba on the left.
This brought Simba back to reality. " Hey there, you still haven't apologized." He said as moved right in front of Kuhisha.
"Don't need to apologize, especially not to a weakling like you." Responded Kuhisha.
"I never said I was a weakling. What I said was Nala is stronger than me. If you are stronger than me remains to be seen.
As the future King I am also very proud to have a lioness like Nala in my Pride and she isn't perfect either but she is a vital part of the pride.
Believe it or not I wouldn't be a good king if I did not see my subjects as my equals on many terms. Just like I will see you as an equal once you apologize.
Otherwise I would think that you are just looking for trouble and I'm unsure if there is room for troublemakers in my pride. So apologize now or leave."
Simba finished.
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"Wow, that was impressive." Remarked Kuhisha breaking character.
"Thanks, that's a speech my dad gave when he settled a dittomatic conflict." Explained Simba with a sheepish smile.
"I'm sure you mean diplomatic" Corrected Kuhisha. "Non the less you managed to stand your ground without resorting to violence."
"You showed that you're principles aren't easily broken and that you aren't some wild rogue who can't control himself." Explained Kuhisha.
"Winning an argument with your claws will earn you fear. Wining it with words will earn you respect." He went on.
"With that said, I believe it's time I reintroduce you to my gang."Said Kuhisha as he lead the way to where he usually expected his gang to be.
End of chapter 10
Next Chapter 11: What is an Ocean,... 1/3
