Whenever Rafiki told stories, he would bring some of his jerky for the 
cubs.  It always ensured a large crowd, but it also fostered the close 
ties of love and trust that made Rafiki an integral part of the pride.  
Sometimes when Rafiki would examine a wounded lioness or massage a 
pulled muscle, he would have to bend painful joints and prod aching 
abdomens.  These things and many more he did for many years, and never 
once was he bitten or scratched, though he could have been killed with a 
single well-placed blow or bite.  
	Rafiki was always happiest surrounded by cubs.  He loved their 
antics and always laughed at their jokes, no matter how many times he 
had heard them before or how poorly they were told.  And within the 
limits of his strength and durability, he would play games with them.  
He had to make those limits clear to each new generation.  Indeed, among 
the few phrases of leonine he learned in his long life, "I love you," 
"Let go," and "Claws in, please!" figured most prominently.
	Misha would always get jerky with the other cubs, but as he once 
did with Taka, he would save a piece of rare Tiko root for her alone.  
He gave her the treat, and as always her eyes half closed in pleasure as 
the fragrance and flavor permeated her.  And as always, he quietly 
whispered, "Misha, mabinti penda," which is to say, "Misha, my beloved 
daughter."
	She kissed him.  "You're my bestest friend.  Did you give my 
mother Tiko root?"
	His face clouded.  "Some.  I wish I could have given her more."  
	"What do you mean?"
	"I loved Mufasa very much.  When he died, I was heartbroken, 
especially because Taka looked like he didn't really care.  I had no way 
of knowing that he killed Mufasa, but I was plenty upset, and I said 
some things that really made him angry.  He confined me to this tree and 
for almost three years."
	"Three whole years?"  She snuggled against him.
	"Three years is a long time, but doubly so because I was 
prematurely old.  I lost my youth over him, and it seems I did not lose 
enough of my life to suit him."  Absently, he began to stroke her as he 
spoke.  "I missed your mother's coming of age.  I wasn't able to be 
there for Nala and Habusu, and to think of poor Simba wandering around 
in the jungle like a lost soul!  I try to be philosophical about all 
this and go on with my life, but sometimes its hard.  But just you wait 
till someone tries to hurt my little girl, and they will know what fear 
is!  I'll move heaven and earth for my little Missy."  He put his arms 
around her and hugged her.  "Maybe I'm giving you all the love that I 
kept stored up inside of me all those lonely moons.  You know, I used to 
plan on one day walking out of this baobab and never coming back.  But 
now that I'm free to come and go, it's a funny thing--I just can't find 
a home as nice as this one.  I guess I'm stuck with it.  And you have to 
help me."
	"How?"
	"You'll help me make some happy memories that will sweep away all 
the sad ones.  It's easy.  See, you're doing it right now."
	He slipped her an extra piece of Tiko root and said, "I shouldn't 
do this.  I'll spoil your appetite for red meat."
	"Thank you, Rafiki."
	She snapped up the treat and closed her eyes, savoring the 
fragrant treat.  "Will you tell me a story now?"
	He looked at her with a smile but a trace of reproof.  "You forgot 
to thank Aiheu for your food."
	"But YOU gave it to me."
	"I know, but when you look closely enough, all blessings come from 
Aiheu."  He said, "I know just the story, Missy.  You listen carefully 
and you might learn something from this foolish old monkey."
	"King Amalkozi, the son of Baba, had a son named Zara.  And 
Amalkozi loved Zara with a marvelous love.  Indeed, between his wife and 
son he divided his whole heart, and Aiheu whom he had not seen he had no 
great love for.
	"'You should thank the Lord your God before you eat,' the shamans 
would warn Amalkozi.  `He has provided for you, and it is at your peril 
that you neglect him.'
	"'I will thank my lionesses before I eat,' he said.  `It is they 
who work hard that I might not go hungry.'
	"And then one day when Zara was playing with his sister M'hetu, a 
giant eagle swept down from the sky and grabbed him in his talons.  And 
before Amalkozi could stop him, the eagle bore Zara away screaming.
	Misha's ears flattened.  "That's terrible!"
	"Hold on, Honey Tree," Rafiki said, patting her cheek.  "I'm not 
done yet.
	"After this, Amalkozi grieved as no lions grieved before and few 
have grieved since.  And when the shamans told him that the Lord had 
taken his son, he said angrily that where he had once neglected God, now 
he hated him and with just cause.  And for six years the name of Aiheu 
was corban in his presence, and he would not bless the lionesses before 
the hunt.
	"Then one day a strange lion showed up asking to see the king.  He 
called Bavisi by name and several members of the household as well, so 
that Bavisi was afraid and suspected magic.
	"Bavisi fell before his brother the King and said, `The strange 
lion will tell his name to no one but the King.'  And King Amalkozi 
wondered if he was being challenged, and he went out to greet the 
stranger with kind words while judging his strength as an enemy.
	"But when the strange lion came before the King, M'hetu, the 
faithful sister humbled herself before him and cried, `Behold it is Zara 
who once was lost but now is found.  Look, my King, my brother the cub 
has returned a lion!'  And the King looked closely and saw the scars on 
his back from the talons and knew that it was his son.  He wept and lay 
on the ground, pawing the sky and praising Aiheu for his mercy.  And 
Amalkozi put out a decree that all lions should thank God before they 
eat and remember the Lord before they sleep.
	"Now this, my child, is the importance of the story.  That Aiheu 
loved Amalkozi and returned his son BEFORE he repented, for Aiheu loves 
all of his children."
	"But why did he tell the eagle to take away his son?"
	"Who says he told the eagle to take away his son!  But if he had 
prayed to Aiheu and asked his help, he might not have had to wait six 
years."
	Misha bowed her head quickly.  "Aiheu abamami!  Aiheu provides!"  
She looked up sheepishly and said, "I don't want to take any chances."

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