Panting with the effort of bringing life into the world, Kako looked at the small, wet treasure that God had given her. “Come, my son.” She gently nudged the small child against her abdomen and lay exhausted as he took his first meal under the starry sky. With a tired smile, Kako said, “He was born at night. He’ll be a mighty hunter someday.”
Isha 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.”
CHAPTER: MORE THAN AN UNCLE
Kako was worried about presenting Mabatu to the King. She had seen only compassion and kindness in Taka’s eyes, but she had also heard--and overheard--a lot of things about him that distressed her.
There were always the hyenas. It struck Kako as unnatural that they would be sharing the rock with lions. Certainly Mufasa would never have permitted such a thing. Everyone spoke of Mufasa like some sort of Mano with golden fur. Everyone, that was, except Taka. Once when coaxed to speak of his brother, Taka told Kako that Mufasa was dull witted and more obsessed with popularity than with handing down the hard decisions that a King should make. “He sat watching the wildebeests while I paid attention to my lessons. Alas, cruel irony of fate, he was trampled by them. The one good thing I can say about him was that he loved his son.”
Kako had noticed that Taka was a little odd. He had a certain intensity when he stared at her right in the eyes, and he possessed a lot of strange mannerisms. But she tried to convince herself that the other lionesses were unfairly prejudiced against him. And of course, she did not dream that Taka had driven out his nephew and murdered his own brother!
Kako finished Mabatu’s first meal, then she took him gently by the scruff of the neck and carried him gingerly back to Pride Rock to her favorite haunt.
The king came running down the trail. When Taka first caught sight of young Mabatu, he was elated. “Look at him! Isn’t he a looker!”
Kako looked up and smiled pleasantly. “They say love makes the child beautiful,” she replied. “I gave up everything for him, and it shows.”
Indeed, after the hunt was divided, all the lionesses filed by to pay their respects and many of them mentioned his good looks. It was a saying among the lionesses that handsome cubs often grew up to be plain, and sometimes the homeliest cubs grew up to be stunningly beautiful. But it didn’t keep them from hoping he would one day live up to his promise.
Taka’s sense of duty compelled him at the sight of the proud stranger caring for her child in a strange land. As ruler of the pride, he felt responsible for them and went beyond what was necessary to insure their comfort. During the days of Mabatu’s milk, Taka would save choice portions of the kills for Kako so that her milk would be wholesome and plentiful. And when Mabatu began to try solid food, Taka would bring him tempting tidbits to eat. Baba, as he was often called, found Taka more of a father than an Uncle.
Despite all the lavish attention paid her by the king, Kako was somehow immune from the prejudice that had tarnished Elanna. It was all right that Taka loved her like a sister and loved Mabatu like a son. All who knew them felt the same way. If anything, it helped Taka’s perception among the Pride Sisters, and while he was never liked as a King, he was tolerated because of his care for little Baba. Even Isha paid him grudging respect when she saw him give up part of his share of the kill for the cub.
Once briefly Elanna expressed a little jealousy of Kako and the attention she was getting. But Taka kissed her and nuzzled her and said, “In her I see my deepest pains. In you I see my deepest joys.”
CHAPTER: LEAN RATIONS
When Mabatu was three moons old, he went to his Auntie Isha for his nightly lesson in star lore. She had to cancel class because the sky was overcast. A bolt of lightning flashed and within moments it was raining heavily. That rain would be remembered for a long time because it was the last one before the drought.
Hunting had already begun to suffer in the Pride Lands because of the hyenas. Besides taking many of the best resting places, shedding hair and raising a smell that many lions called ‘oppressive’ or ‘downright disgusting,’ the hyenas ate a lot for animals their size. There were signs they hid away some of the prey as well. And while the lionesses never killed rabbits, their small carcasses were found more and more often. The hyenas were eating much better than the lions, and the issue began to raise some angry words among the Pride Sisters who had to hunt for their own cubs.
Then came the terrible draught that would be known for many years after as ‘Taka’s scourge.’ It seemed like an unfair name, but Rafiki assured them later that One-who-makes-rain was holding back the water because of Taka himself.
For the first week without rain, no one was alarmed. Two dry weeks seemed odd. Three weeks, and lionesses began to make remarks. But after four weeks without rain, hunting began to become an exercise in frustration.
Among the first to leave the Pride Lands were the hunters. Timid at first, but progressively more bold, the cheetahs would stand the humiliation of a shamefully long wait to see the king. Then Taka would listen politely to their complaints, say something patronizing, and dismiss them.
Eventually the cheetahs left, followed shortly by the leopards that haunted the edges of the Pride Lands. Before the drought was over, the foxes, wild dogs, and eagles would desert the land. Only the vultures never left, but they had their eyes on Pride Rock and bigger game.
Little Baba’s appetite was growing along with his body. His “Uncle Taka” had to work harder to find enough for him to eat. As the river receded, several shallow pools formed along the edges where fish were trapped. The hyenas tended to raid theose as soon as they formed, though the lionesses eventually caught on and would keep a watchful eye along the bank. Those fish were all that stood between them and starvation, and they dared the hyenas to touch them under pain of death. Taka used his royal privilege, however, and brought Baba a couple of large fish. When Baba turned from them, Taka sighed and said morosely, “But I caught them myself just for you.”
Baba sniffed of them again and tried one. It was not bad, and he quickly downed it with a look of pleasure. Then he started to eat the other, but stopped. “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 face, stunned. “What a kind thing to do,” he said, giving him a warm nuzzle. “I love you, Baba.”
“I love you too.”
CHAPTER: THE SUITOR
Kako was dubious about Taka’s care of her son, but she adored Isha and looked forward to her visits. Isha had endless patience with the boisterous love Mabatu gave her, stoically enduring his pounces at her tail, his tugging at her ears and his snapping at her heels. She knew when the rough play was over he would look to her with unadulterated love. Then she would hold him close with joy, kissing his small face and fondling him with her paw.
One day when Isha came to take care of Mabatu while Kako went to see Rafiki. Kako 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 moon 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. That’s my reward.”
While Kako was gone, Isha settled down to watch him play until he was ready for sleep. But he was in high spirits and kept challenging her to a fight so they wrestled instead. Mabatu had a size disadvantage, but he’d learned a new move, and he grabbed for her hind leg, pulling her off balance. When she toppled easily, he pounced on her stomach and giggled. “Gotcha!”
“What a little stinker!” She crawled out from under him, dusted herself off, and said, “I’ll get you next time, you little rat fink.”
He reached up and kissed her. “I love you.”
<
br /> “I love you too.”
He smiled. “Are you married?”
She laughed self-consciously. “No. But maybe someday the right lion will come along.”
He kissed her again. “When I grow up, I want to marry you.”
“Oh, Baba!” She pawed him and giggled. “What am I going to do with you!”
“Please don’t laugh at me. I meant it.”
She paused and looked at the very sincere, sensitive look in his eyes. Indeed, he 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 and rubbed his cheek with her large paw. He looked at her with absolute love and touched her paw with his. A deep warmth spread through, and her eyes shone like stars. “That 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 meekly submitted to the ritual without the usual objections. As she cleaned his fur, he purred quietly and looked deeply into her eyes. Even his own mother could not get him to behave while she bathed him, much less force him to enjoy it.
Mabatu was sorry to see his mother come back from Rafiki’s appointment so soon. He greeted her affectionately, but was loathe to let Isha go. Isha kissed him more than usual and nuzzled him. “I love you, my special little boy.”
“I love you too.”
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 merrily.
Embarrassed, 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!”
CHAPTER: OUR LITTLE SECRET
Isha did not know if Kako had heard any of the snide remarks. She grimaced with embarrassment as she went to see Mabatu’s mother and clear things up once and for all.
“Isha!” Kako said with her usual sunshine. She nuzzled Isha and patted her shoulder with a paw. “You’re so sweet taking care of my Baba. He had such a good time last night, he was talking about it on and on!”
“Oh?” Isha smiled timidly. “Anything I should know about?”
Kako’s ears twitched, but she made nothing of it as if she didn’t hear the question. Isha was not about to ask it again.
Baba saw her and came running up, eyes shining. “Isha! Isha!” He pounced on her, kissing her with his soft, warm tongue and rubbing her face.
“Hello, Rat Fink!”
He smiled broadly. “Hello, Isha!” Sitting next to her, Baba looked at his mother and said, “Guess what I’m going to do when I grow up!”
“I like guessing games,” Isha said quickly. “Baba, I have a little secret for you if your Mom doesn’t mind.”
“A little secret?” Kako said with a grin. “Ooooh, sounds serious!”
“Oh it is,” Isha said slyly with a wink and a smile. Gently but urgently, she nudged the smiling cub around a few rocks and bushes, then said as calmly as she could, “Baba, I don’t think you should tell your Mom about us yet. In fact, you shouldn’t tell anyone.”
Mabatu’s ears sagged. “Oh.”
“Honey Tree, getting engaged is a big step. At your age, you could still change your mind.”
“But I won’t!” He nuzzled her. “I love you, Isha! I’d marry you right now if they’d let me.”
“I believe you, Fuzzy Love.” Trying not to hurt his feelings, she nuzzled his small body and kissed him. “Just follow my advice and hold off until you get older, like when you’re approaching your mantlement. Then when you say it, they will understand it the way I do. You see, if you DID happen to change your mind....”
“But I won’t! I love you! I really do!”
“I know. But let’s just say IF you did, you wouldn’t have to make it up to me. And I’d understand.”
“You DO love me back, don’t you?”
“What do you think, Baba?” She lay down and with her paw easily scooped her small suitor to her side. Fondling him with a paw, she purred, “You’re a special part of me, and if you were taken away, it would leave a wound that would bleed. You’re my little golden treasure.” Mabatu began to grunt with pleasure at her touch. “If you really love me, it won’t be a long two years. The days will speed past, but don’t wish them away. Once you cross that threshold and become a lion, all your free and easy days of cubhood are gone forever. Understand me, Rat Fink?”
“Yeah.” He pushed out from under her paw and rubbed his face against hers. “I love you.”
“I love you too.”
CHAPTER: WE’RE TALKING KINGS AND SUCCESSIONS
Only two and a half months after Elanna married Taka, she began having contractions. She was in danger of having a miscarriage, or at least that’s what Kako could gather from a few snatches she overheard. The hyena guards would not let her too close to Taka’s cave, and they would not give her a straight answer.
An old mandrill was escorted quickly to the cave, his hyena guard supremely impatient with his unsteady, lumbering gait. Kako had heard of Rafiki. Whisperings from the hyenas and a few disparaging remarks from Taka would lead her to believe that some evil sorcerer was being confined in the baobab. The other lionesses, however, told a different story. She did not know what to believe.
Rafiki passed close by Kako. He paused and looked at her. In a kind and bashful voice, he said, “My dear, I don’t believe I’ve seen you before. Has it been that long?”
The mandrill yelped as one of the guards nipped his flank. Quickly he drew his fingers in blessing across her cheek and started on before he could be bitten again.
Kako was watching and listening, but was in a poor position to tell what was going on. She would have to ask Uzuri later. The conversation was anxious and rose and fall, but she could make out very little. Then she heard very clearly, “Rafiki! Do something! Anything! My son, my son!”
A few moments of near absolute silence went by. If this mandrill was really a great sorcerer, he would perform some great spell, probably in exchange for his freedom. That was the plan, wasn’t it? “Aiheu,” she whispered, “give him the power. Give him the power.”
After a few moments, she heard a loud cry from the cave. It was not an apelike sound but the heart-rending howl of a fully-grown male lion whose strength and courage could not even keep a small cub from dying before his eyes.
Isha, her ears and tail drooping, went past bearing a small dead male. “Oh Isha,” Kako whispered, pawing her shoulder as she walked by. Isha looked around, her eyes red with hopeless tears. Soon after that, escorted by hyenas, Rafiki dragged past as well. Kako watched the grief stricken mandrill limp by, leaning heavily on his staff. If possible, he looked even older and more bent than before.
Taka came out on the promontory and shouted in his anguish, “If there is a God....” He took in a deep breath and concluded, “....please help me!!” He sat on the end of the promontory, his face bent low and sobbed. Fabana slipped alongside him and held up her finely chiseled nose, howling like her heart would crumble. Even the lionesses that hated him most were silent, transfixed by the depth of their grief. Then Taka raised his muzzle to the sky, pulled in a deep breath and roared with pain. All of the lionesses took up the sound. The hyenas howled and yammered, and from a nearby acacia, a flight of weaverbirds scattered like a living cloud. The silence that followed could almost be nudged by a paw. All eyes were on the dark-maned lion as he trudged down the promontory.
Still weak in the knees, Taka wended his way down Pride Rock and crept slowly to where Kako stood with her son.
“It seems the Gods have spoken,” Taka
said. “There will be no prince from my line.” His chin began to tremble and tears spilled down his cheeks. “She can never....the damage has....”
Fabana quickly pressed her shoulder against his. “Remember, son. You’re a king.”
Taka did his best to keep some royal dignity, but he looked like a trembling blade of grass caught in a strong wind. Kako quietly padded over and kissed him. “I’m so sorry. You poor dear—I mean, Your Majesty.”
“Kako, you came to me from the gods. Your goodness is one of the few things that can laugh at the curse that burns my blood.” He sighed, and with great effort said, “Mabatu is my Prince, and your future King.”
“You honor us, Bayete.”
He looked at Mabatu. “Hello, sport.”
“Hello, Your Majesty.”
“You are a prince now. You should call me by my name, or if you feel like it, you may call me...please call me....Dad?”
Mabatu came and sat next to him, burying his head in Taka’s mane. “I love you, Dad.”
“I love you too.” He kissed Baba. “You’re my last hope, son. Go to sleep a little early tonight ‘cause tomorrow, I’m waking you at sunrise. I have something I want to show you.”
“What?”
“You’ll see.”
CHAPTER: ON THE PROMONTORY
Mabatu stood on the end of the promontory with Taka and saw the sunrise.
“Look at the light,” Taka said. “See how splendid it makes the plain look? That is my kingdom, and someday it will be yours.”
“When?”
“When I die,” Taka said, solemnly.
“Then I hope I never get to be king,” Mabatu said.
“What a beautiful, foolish notion! We all have to go into the east when our time comes. What makes life worth living is what you do with the time you have. Like this morning. I made sure I woke up to show you this, because it was important to me. When I’m seated among the stars, I’ll look back on this memory and smile.”
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