SCENE:  GOOD HELP IS HARD TO FIND


	"In the third year of King Ramalah, there was a certain 
lioness named Alba the faithful.  She was a servant of Queen 
Chakula from the time of her coming of age, and often times the 
Queen entrusted her with her two sons N'ga and Sufa.  Once, when 
Chakula was aprowl, the earth shook, and the cave where Alba 
dwelled was closed with the twins inside.  Five days it took to 
dig them out, and Chakula had no hope to find them alive.  But 
when the cave was opened, N'ga and Sufa came out alive.  Only Alba 
was dead.  Because she was a dry lioness, she opened the deep 
veins of her arm to nurse them, that they might survive.  It was 
from the spot she lay that the first flower grew that bears her 
name, red as the blood of mercy."

                 --  THE LEONID SAGA, "E" SECTION, VARIATION 5

	Rafiki sulked in his confinement.  His home that had always 
seemed so large was now cramped--almost claustrophobic.  He could 
still heal wounds and fevers under the close supervision of his 
guards.  Casual visitors were rudely turned away.
	It wasn't long before the Pride Lands fell under an epidemic 
of sprains, bruises and coughs.  The guards suspected that most 
were well-wishers, but they had no way to prove which ones were.  
His dwindling supplies of herbs would soon solve that problem 
anyhow, as he was not allowed to gather things beyond the 
boundaries of his restriction.
	Rafiki despaired.  Unless Aiheu sent him a way, he could 
quickly find himself without healing powers, a useless relic left 
over from happier days.  He took some of his precious remaining 
ochre and painted an eye of Aiheu on the wall of his hollow tree.  
"Watch over me, Lord.  I know in your good time there will be an 
answer to my problems."
	He had just finished his prayer when something happened to 
change his whole outlook.  Krull, the leader of his hyena guard, 
came in complaining of a runny eye.  "If you are good as your 
friends say you are, it won't matter that I am a hyena."
	"I don't know about good," Rafiki said.  "But it does not 
matter what you are, as long as you feel suffering."
	"Why does Scar hate you so?"
	"Hasn't he told you?"
	"Let's say for now that he has not.  What would you tell 
me?"
	"I would tell you that I am partly to blame.  I had toyed 
with powers I did not fully understand, and given a foothold to 
the curse that burns him."
	"Hfff!  Honest little chap, aren't you!  And yet a half 
truth is like a half-carcass--it can be dragged twice as far.  
Tell me about this curse--help me to understand it."
	"The words alone are corban.  If they are spoken aloud, they 
would rot your bones, but I may whisper it to you."
	Coming from the back, Rafiki leaned over and drew close to 
his ear.  "What I do," he whispered, "is what I have to do."  
Quickly Rafiki grabbed Krull's forearm and pinched one of the 
nerves.  With his other hand, he grabbed his muzzle to stifle a 
shriek of pain.  The hyena struggled and whined, but Rafiki's hold 
was secure.  The jaws that closed so powerfully had weak muscles 
to open them, and Krull was not able to make more than a stifled 
moan.  "Listen to me and listen well.  When I release your jaw, 
the first words I want to hear are `I swear by my god that I will 
be your loyal servant.'  Agreed?"
	The hyena struggled again, but whimpered pitifully as Rafiki 
tightened his hold.  "I hate violence.  I hate to cause pain, but 
by my gods I can and will kill you if you refuse me."
	The hyena relaxed a little and moaned again.  Rafiki let 
loose his jaw.
	"I swear by Aiheu that I will be your loyal servant."
	"You don't believe in Aiheu.  You will swear by Roh'kash."
	"I swear by Roh'kash!  For God's sake, let go of me!"
	Rafiki let go of him and rubbed the sore spot on the hyena's 
shoulder.  "Now I have need of an escort from time to time.  I do 
not plan to stay cooped up in this tree like a woodpecker for the 
rest of my life.  I need my herbs, and I need my sustenance.  I 
must get Alba to nurse the wounded.  You treat me well, and I will 
make you thank your Roh'kash for the day you met me.  I am not 
evil.  I will do nothing to harm you."  He got some ointment.  
"Now about that eye problem.  Old Rafiki will fix you up in a jif, 
as I promised."  


SCENE:  A VISITOR FROM THE EAST


	Taka did not prove to be a popular ruler.  His unpopular 
standing was for far more than the coming of the hyenas, though 
they were universally despised.  His insecurity was overwhelming, 
and he sought to fight all threats real and perceived with savage 
force.  Still under it all, Taka wanted to be liked.  He would 
sometimes whisper a tender word to a lioness-wanting only a 
friendly reply--only to be rebuffed or simply ignored.  At those 
moments he was most dangerous, for he would sometimes fly into a 
rage in frustration and hurt.  Soon they learned that he could be 
placated by simple pleasantries, and they would return his 
greetings and agree that the weather was indeed fine today.  But 
the very deep resentment crept out through their tone of voice, 
and he eventually stopped trying to speak with them rather than 
wince at their insincerity.
	When Taka had been ruler of the Pride Lands for a year, a 
lioness named Kako had come out of the east seeking asylum for 
herself and her unborn child.  Taka saw in her someone whose 
opinion of him was not already poisoned, and he felt that she had 
the sympathy of the other lionesses.  So with little deliberation, 
and that mostly for show, he invited her to stay.
	Kako was suitably grateful.  She went on the hunt with 
Uzuri, even though her condition was less than ideal, and that 
overlooking her advanced pregnancy.
	One night they were hunting wildebeests when Kako fell in 
agony.  She was attended by two other lionesses while the others 
went on with the chase.  It was there in an open savanna that she 
gave birth.
	Like most lionesses who are not of royal blood, Kako was 
praying for a female.  There is no difference in the love of a 
mother for a son or daughter, but a daughter does not grow up to 
be a lion, and she can be the comfort of a mother's old age.  So 
Kako was both happy and sad when Isha cleaned off the child and 
said, "Mother, behold your son."  He was small and wet and his 
nose was pushed in, the sort of beauty a lion could not 
appreciate, but a lioness worshipped.  "Come, my son."  She took 
the small child and placed it against her where it took its first 
meal under the starry heavens.


KAKO:  	Little one, small and soft as a new golden blossom
  	 	Little one, snuggled next to my heart,
       	Someday soon you'll be grown and be off on adventures
       	But your journey is still at its start.

       	Stay a while, don't be rushed, let the world wait to own you
       	Life is short, do not flee, for I've only just known you
       	Love is here, take my heart, let my strong arms enthrone you
       	Child of mine, gift of God, little one!


	Isha came and touched the small infant with her tongue.  
"Isn't he beautiful!  What are you going to call him?"
	"He will be Mabatu, like his father."  That was the only 
part of her past that was not locked behind a door of silence.



SCENE:  YOUNG MABATU


	Taka found that he could speak to Kako without being 
reviled, though Kako was not overly friendly in return.  Still, 
Kako would speak her mind, and to get more than two words out of 
her was Taka's one great pleasure outside of his mate Elanna.
	When Mabatu's eyes first opened, the first thing he saw was 
his mother.  And the second thing he saw was Taka peering down at 
him with an elated grin.  "Look at him!  Isn't he a looker!"
	During the days of Mabatu's milk, Taka would save choice 
portions of the kills for Kako.  Later he would bring Mabatu 
tempting tidbits to eat.  Baba, as he was often called, found Taka 
more than an Uncle, for indeed he was like a father to the cub.  
Love was a rare commodity for Taka, and he begged for it from 
those who could and would feel for him.  Indeed, when it suited 
him, Taka could be capable of great tenderness on his own terms 
and at his own times.  This patronage frightened the other 
lionesses, who knew that the strength of his love was only matched 
by the strength of his hate.  Those who had betrayed his love were 
as likely as not to end up dead.
	Still, his care of Mabatu was his one shred of 
respectability that commanded respect from the lionesses.  They 
even began to speak to him as he passed.  He was so surprised to 
have someone ask HIM if the weather wasn't divine that he 
suspected a joke at first.  But little by little the pleasantries 
sounded more and more sincere.  If it only wasn't for the hyenas, 
he might have made some friends.
	When Mabatu was three moons old, it rained heavily.  That 
rain would be remembered for a long time because it was the last 
rain before the drought.
	It took a while for the sun to bake the remaining water out 
of the soil and dry up the grass.  Dry spells were frequent on the 
savanna and only to be expected.  For the first week, no one was 
alarmed.  A week later, some of the lionesses remarked on it 
before the hunt.  But after four weeks without rain, hunting began 
to suffer.  Little Baba was now four moons old, and his appetite 
was growing along with his body.  His "Uncle" had to work harder 
to find enough for him to eat.  Once when game was very scarce, 
Taka brought him a couple of large fish that had been stranded in 
a pool once part of the river.  When Mabatu started to turn up his 
nose at them, Taka looked hurt and said, "But I caught them myself 
just for you."
	Baba tried one, and liking it quickly devoured it.  He 
sniffed of the other, but looked up.  "What are you going to eat?"
	"I'll find something."
	"Here."  He shoved the fish over to Taka.  "You eat this 
one."
	Taka looked into Mabatu's eyes.  There was a quality about 
them that reminded him of young Simba.  For a moment he 
experienced if not repentance at least a pang of regret.  "What a 
kind thing to do," he said, nuzzling the cub.  "I love you, Baba."
	"I love you too."
	There was no difference in Simba and Mabatu.  Simba used to 
tell his Uncle, "I love you" from time to time.  In his heart Taka 
swore from then on that only those who knew the evil they caused 
would die.  He felt that he had saved Baba, and in doing so wiped 
out his guilt for killing Simba (for indeed he thought the cub was 
dead).  Though he was unsure about Roh'kash and had turned his 
back on Aiheu, he still suffered a superstitious dread about what 
would happen to him when he breathed his last.  Baba would be his 
atonement.  Baba would be his salvation.  Baba must live.


SCENE:  AFFAIRS OF THE HEART


	Isha was very close to Kako and her son Mabatu.  She worked 
hard to help them whenever she could.  And they were not without 
gratitude.  
	One day when Isha came to take care of Mabatu while Kako 
went to see Rafiki, she told Isha, "You're the sister I never had.  
What wonderful thing did I do to deserve you?"
	Isha nuzzled her.  "I was just wondering the same thing."
	"That's the third time this month you've taken care of 
Mabatu for me.  There must be something I can do in return."
	"I love the little fellow.  I enjoy every moment we spend 
together."
	While Kako was gone, Isha thought she would just keep an eye 
on little Baba, but it turned out he wanted to be more involved.  
So they wrestled.  Mabatu was too young to make headway with a 
fully grown lioness, especially not an accomplished huntress like 
Isha.  She tried hard not to win too badly.
	Mabatu was quick, if nothing else.  She was surprised to 
find herself off balance when she was not planning it.  He pounced 
on her stomach and giggled.  "Gotcha!"
	After he let her up, she dusted herself off and said, "I'll 
get you next time, you little rat fink."
	He kissed her cheek and said, "I love you."
	"I love you too."
	He smiled broadly.  "Are you married?"
	She laughed, a little embarrased.  "No.  But maybe someday 
the right lion will come along."
	In a shy voice, he said, "When I grow up, I want to marry 
you."
	She laughed again.
	"Please don't laugh at me.  I meant it."
	"I wasn't laughing at you.  It was just such a sweet thing 
to say.  I wasn't expecting it, that's all."
	"You're not mad?"
	"No."  She kissed him.  "It was the nicest proposal I've 
ever heard, and I've heard quite a few."  She pulled him over with 
her paw.  "Time for your bath, squirt."
	Mabatu did not raise the usual objections.  When she cleaned 
his fur, he purred quietly.
	Later that day as the lionesses gathered for the hunt, Uzuri 
came to Isha with a broad smile on her face.  "Congratulations!"
	"On what?"
	"On the big event.  Mabatu just told me the good news."  She 
laughed, something Uzuri didn't often do.
	Embarrased, Isha asked her, "Who else did he tell?"
	"I don't know.  But I'd catch him quickly if I were you."
	"I'll have a little talk with him."  Isha thought a moment 
and burst out laughing.  "He asked me if I was married.  The 
little rat fink, I should have known what he was up to!"


SCENE:  SHIMBEKH


	Among the hyenas, there were several seers, but few that 
could compare to Shimbekh.  She was said to have the ear of 
Roh'kash, and her words were never taken lightly.
	Without Rafiki to give his guidance to Pride Rock, Taka 
relied on her judgment to make all his important decisions.  Of 
course, this was of great interest to Shenzi, who saw in it a way 
to secure control over Taka and virtually rule the Pride Lands.
	Shimbeck was always surrounded by questioning throngs, for 
everyone wanted her wisdom.  But her personal friends were few.  
Like most seers, she never married.  The dark and frightening 
aspects of the future were a large obstacle to her being seen as a 
friend.  And for most hyenas, Shimbeck and the future were 
inseparable, as if the unseen had taken on a familiar form to 
stalk among them.
	Makhpil, a shy but talented seer was only an adolescent.  
But she clung to Shimbekh for comfort.  Her own parents were 
afraid of her, though they had no reason to be.  So Shimbekh was 
both mother and father to Makhpil, and Shimbeck loved her 
appropriately.  They had both faced the future, and it could not 
come between them.
	Prophesy is a two-edged sword-it cuts both ways.  Shenzi, at 
first unable to make Shimbeck lie, convinced her to tell only the 
truth that helped the hyena cause.  A half truth is like a half 
carcass; it can be dragged twice as far.
	Both Shimbekh and Makpil knew that a seer who lied was a 
seer no more.  The gods would take the truth from those who would 
not use it.  And for a long time, Shenzi only encouraged Shimbekh 
to manipulate the truth for it would be a shame to lose her rare 
talent.  Somehow Shimbekh's personal feelings never entered into 
Shenzi's mind, and Shimbekh was all too aware of that.
	Then came a time months later when Shimbekh had made so many 
compromises that Shenzi could blackmail her.  Shenzi wanted 
Shimbekh to come to her private quarters, this time without 
Makpil.  And when she had her alone, she said, "You will tell Scar 
that it is folly to leave Pride Rock.  You will tell him that the 
day he attempts to go, he will die."
	"My Lord Roh'mach, the gods do not say it.  A seer is a 
servant of the Lord.  To lie is blasphemy."
	Shenzi smiles coyly.  "Is it really blasphemy when the 
greater good depends on it?"
	"You mean YOUR greater good depends on it."
	"Whatever."  Shenzi comes up beside her and pats her lightly 
on the cheek.  "I wouldn't want to be you Honey Bun, not when Scar 
finds out how far you stretched the truth."
	"On YOUR orders."
	"Little old me?"  Shenzi smiled wickedly.  "Would I ask you 
to lie to my King?  For shame!"
	Shimbekh says "You wouldn't dare tempt the gods."  
	"Oh yes I would.  Taka's superstitions are his downfall.  I 
believe in what works, and this works.  Play the game by my rules, 
and you'll have no reason to frown.  Refuse me, and you won't be 
able to frown."
	Shimbekh says, "Well I have one prediction for you.  This 
path leads toward defeat.  You do not scratch dirt at the gods and 
profit by it."
	"Are you threatening me??"
	"No.  You threaten yourself.  We all pay for our own sins, 
Roh'mach.  I will pay for mine, but you will pay for yours."  The 
seer looks at her closely before going.  "I will pray for you."
	"You just do that.  But first, you see Scar."
	She walks out.  Going in to see the King, she bowed deeply.  
It took all her nerve to keep from trembling.  "My Lord, King of 
Kings, I have something to report."
	"Yes?"
	"It is Pride Rock, Your Majesty.  It is the source of your 
life.  If you flee, it will mean your death."
	"Oh?"  Taka's ears perked up.  "My death?"
	"Yes, Sire.  Game is scarce, and rain is sparce, but if you 
are faithful and remain, the rain will fall and the game will 
return."
	"Good!  Very good!  And I was just talking with Shenzi about 
moving.  You tell her what you told me, my girl!"
	"I will, Sire."
	Shimbekh bowed deeply and left his cave.  Stepping out into 
the savannah grass, she wondered what would come of this.  But she 
did not have a clue.  The future was a sense, like hearing or 
sight was to most hyenas.  Suddenly, as if she had gone deaf or 
blind, she had only the present moment for the first time in her 
life.
	The feeling of isolation terrified her.  She looked into the 
sky and tried to concentrate.  "Please, o gods, don't forsake me!  
Please don't forsake me!  She made me do it.  She made me do it!"
	She felt panic, and ran back to her cave where Makhpil 
awaited her.  How she would tell her, Shimbekh did not know.  But 
before she could say a word, Makhpil looked into her eyes.  "It's 
gone," she said balefully.  "What have you done, Shimbekh??  What 
have you done??"

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