Yolanda was trying to rest.  She was at an age gracefully referred to as 
"looking westward," and she needed more sleep than she once did when her 
carriage was straight, her stomach was firm and her step was lively.
	"Oh good!" young Misha said, gamboling over and rubbing against 
her face.  "You're not busy."
	With a sigh, Yolanda rolled over.  She managed a smile despite her 
aches and pains and reached out with a comforting paw to draw her 
granddaughter to her side and begin grooming her.  "Something on your 
mind?"
	"It's not really important, but I was just wondering...."
	"About what?"  Yolanda began to groom behind Misha's ears and the 
cub half closed her eyes in luxury.
	"All these spots.  I have more spots than Wajanja.  I wish they 
would go away.  My mom's spots never all went away like Nala's did.  
Does that mean I'm going to be spotty all my life?"
	"I hope so," Yolanda said.
	The answer got Misha's full attention.  "Why?"
	"Those cub spots were left where Aiheu touched you when you were 
born.  He blesses all new cubs."
	"Boy, he sure must have blessed me one good!"
	Yolanda smiled, amused.  "When the spots stay on after you're 
grown, it's a good sign.  It's a blessing, and I think it looks 
beautiful."  She drew close and said, "Your mother's spots used to drive 
your father wild.  Lions think lionesses with spots are extra special."
	"Why?"
	"I don't know.  It probably makes no difference, but why tell THEM 
that?  Hey, if you got `em, flaunt `em!"  Yolanda whispered in her ear, 
"Don't tell anyone I said this, but have you ever noticed how many spots 
Isha has?"
	"Whoa!"  Misha giggled.
	"Didn't I tell you!"  Yolanda fondled her with a paw.  "You're 
very beautiful, and the older you get the more beautiful you'll become."
	"That Wajanja thinks she's so smart and so cute!  But you know 
what?  She's the only one without a steady boyfriend!"
	"Aiheu abamami!" Yolanda said with a good laugh.  "There are words 
for cubs like her, and someday when you're older you'll hear some of 
them.  Remember now, what I tell you lioness to lioness doesn't get 
spread around, OK?"
	"Sure!"  Misha kissed her and rubbed against her face.  "I love 
you, Grandma."
	"I love you too."
	Misha trundled away happily, and Yolanda watched with a smile as 
her granddaughter disappeared into the distance.  Then she laid her head 
down, took in a deep breath and slowly let it out.
	The African sun warmed her body, loosening her joints and making 
her drowsy.  She rolled over on her back and let the warmth soak in her 
stomach, then turned on her sleeping side.  With a contented grunt, she 
closed her eyes and waited for sleep to bear her away on quiet velvet 
paws.  All was at peace.
	"Oh good, you're still here!"
	One of Yolanda's eyes opened slowly.  She saw Togo barreling down 
on her just in time to pull her stomach tight before impact.  Eyes 
shining, Togo climbed over her body to put his arms around her large 
neck and rub her with grunts of love and joy.
	"How did you know I needed a good hug, Honey Tree?"
	"Just a lucky guess?" Togo said, kissing her with his warm tongue 
and nuzzling her until she had to smile and then snuggling under her 
chin.
	"Where's your brother?"
	"Over here!" Kombi said, walking over her back, across her ribs 
and down the other side to end up snuggled by her side.
	Kombi watched the tuft on the end of Yolanda's tail intently.  It 
was all he could do not to pounce on it.  "Togo and I were just talking 
about storms."
	"Arguing about it," Togo said.
	"Whatever.  The point is, Togo says lightning is falling stars and 
I say that's just nonsense.  Everybody knows lightning is when the rain 
catches on fire!  That's what Wajanja says."
	"Good old Wajanja," Yolanda said with a sigh.  "Thunder and 
lightning happens because One Who Brings Rain roars a warning to the 
Makei.  He's tells them that the ground is about to be blessed.  Makei 
cannot stand the rain because it is holy and hurts them.  But One-who- 
brings-rain is merciful and would not even hurt the Makei."
	"Wow!" Kombi said.  "Mom was right.  When you have a question, ask 
Yolanda."
	"I see," Yolanda said.  "I have a question for your mother next 
time I see her."
	Kombi ran on his merry way.  Togo watched him go and became 
restless.  "Well, I guess I better go."
	"Come on, Togo!"
	Togo looked into Yolanda's eyes and drew close.  His pink tongue 
shot out and touched the tip of her nose.  "I gotta go."
	"I understand," Yolanda said, kissing him.  "Come back--later."
	Yolanda smiled and laid her head down on the soft grass.  "That 
Togo is such a dear," she muttered softly.  "If I was a few years 
younger, I'd want a son just like him."
	Dealing with the cubs was her special pleasure, and it had become 
her job since her loss of speed and strength on the hunt had made her 
more valuable as a cub setter.  Once in a while she would follow along 
on the hunt in search of her lost youth.  Just a week ago, she brought 
down a gazelle, and it did wonders for her self esteem.  But for the 
moment the wonders she needed would be found in a good nap.
	"Merciful Aiheu," she whispered, "I love them all, but let me get 
some sleep?  Remember old Yolanda who loves you."
	Lisani came treading quietly toward her.  Yolanda glanced up and 
sighed.  "Maybe you're getting a little hard of hearing with age?  
Please, Lord?"  She glanced back at Yolanda with a forced smile.  "You 
came by to ask old Yolanda for a story?  Maybe a quick question?"
	Lisani yawned.  "Not now.  I'm too tired."
	Lisani rubbed her cheek against Yolanda's face, then she snuggled 
quietly next to her chest.  Yolanda draped her paw over Miss Priss and 
smiled sweetly.  "Thank you, Aiheu.  Maybe your ears are still sharp."  
And with Lisani's tiny, soft body cuddled to her, she grunted with 
contentment and finally fell asleep.

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