The white lioness came from the cave. She went and breathed on the face of the white lion, and his eyes opened. The lion, more beautiful than ever, lifted his head and kissed her. Metutu looked on with his face beaming. Now he understood. “Live, friend. Live forever in love.”
Suddenly, Metutu was back sitting on top of the kopje where he had gone to meditate. He looked around and saw nothing had changed since that morning. Then just to be sure he glanced in his pouch. With trembling hands, he pulled out a lock of pure white fur that was not there before. He closed his eyes and caressed the lock to his cheek. “O thank you, Father Mano! Thank you! Live forever in love!”
CHAPTER 26: INITIATION
When Metutu returned from his vision quest, he did not go to see his father or his friends. He was met at the outskirts of the village by a couple of pages who took him in the strictest silence down the pathway to the meeting place of the council. Walking this path in silence was on pain of banishment, for the spirits of evil must not have a trail to follow to the heart of the community.
The Council of Elders had convened and around the council rock sat all of the important leaders of the village. On council rock itself sat Metutu’s brother Makoko who was now chief.
Metutu bowed to the ground before Makoko. “I am not worthy.”
“You are worthy, my brother. Rise.”
Gravely Makoko stared at him. It is what Metutu expected, for the events playing out there were part of initiation, and he was not upset. “So candidate Metutu, you have returned to us. What have the gods shown you?”
Metutu looked over the large group. He fought to keep his nerves in control, took in a deep breath and let it slowly out. “I was taken to a barren land under gray skies. It was cold and desolate. Then into it came a lioness of purest white who sang to me. She invited me up a sacred mountain where on the peak she met a white lion. She said, ‘let us create life,’ and the two of them went into a cave. Then they....” Metutu bowed his head sheepishly.
“Candidate, what the gods reveal is beyond reproach.”
“Well, they made love. At least I think they did from the way he cried out.”
One of the younger members snickered, but he was quickly cut down by several icy stares.
“Anyway after he--cried out--this bright light went out of the cave and everything that was dead started to bring forth life. The skies were blue and full of singing birds. There were trees and grasses and rivers and all kinds of animals. It was so beautiful!”
“And what does this mean?”
“Busara told me that there was a light inside of me waiting to come out.”
“You saw a vision of Busara?”
“It was a vision, but Busara was there. They were all there! Look!” He pulled out the lock of white fur. “This is from the lion’s mane!”
There were gasps from the assembly.
Makedde stood by him. “I ask permission to teach the candidate the ways of healing.”
“Granted, Makedde. But first I should warn the candidate that those who would seek the truth are apt to find it.”
The very next day, Metutu was preparing to leave for the Pride Lands. He was approached by Asumini, a name well given for she was fragrant with the smell of blossoms that she crushed in her hair.
“I’m proud of you Metutu. When you first came to study with us, I laughed at you. But you’re not funny. I think you’re very brave and that the love of truth burns in you.”
“I covet your praise most of all.”
“I was worried about you. The whole time you were gone I only got a few hours sleep. And what’s more, I missed you terribly.”
“Oh Asumini! I missed you too! You are my very special friend.”
She said “As special as you could need or want.” She kissed him passionately.
He trembled. “Oh gods, I feel like the white lion.”
“Tell me about the white lion.”
“In my vision quest, there was a lioness white as snow. She came to the dead world and told me that we must create life.”
“And did you?”
“What a thought!” He smiled. “Of course not! A white lion came over the hill. They nuzzled and went into a cave together.”
“Oooh, that sounds romantic.”
“Just wait till you hear this: there was a great light--a living light--and soon the dead world was filled with life. Then Busara came.”
“You saw my father?”
“Yes. He said to me, ‘We all have a great light inside us, just waiting for love to release it.’”
With the back of her hand, she stroked Metutu’s cheek and under his chin. “The wait is over. Let me release your light.”
“Asumini,” he whispered, looking at her face. “I don’t have the right to ask you. My path is long and stony. It would lead you far from friends, far from the jungle shade. It would lead you to hard work and long hours.”
She took his hand and gave it a squeeze. “Don’t be afraid. I will go where you go, and I will make the light in you shine, and you will bring life into the world.”
Metutu said, “If I died and if you breathed on me, I would live again.” He took her other hand. “We must see the priest. If you would come with me, I would give you my very soul. But if you left me, I would lose it. You must love me forever, or not at all.”
“It will be forever, Metutu. We will live forever in love.”
At the sound of that phrase, he gasped. “Live, friend,” he said, kissing her. “Live forever in love.”
A mild breeze stirred them as they stood with their arms around each other, so much in love. They did not notice the alluring scent of wild honey, nor did they know that Busara cradled Neema gently in his arms and kissed her on the brow. “Just look at them. Our children getting married! Where has the time gone?”
Later that evening they went to the priest. Metutu looked into Asumini’s eyes and smiled, for her eyes were glowing. “Metutu,” she whispered, “Your eyes are glowing.” The priest bound their hands together with a vine. “One blood, one love, one family,” he intoned. “Look well, o gods.”
CHAPTER 27: IN THE LIONS’ DEN
Makedde’s call of “Aiheu abamami!” was the first sign that the three mandrills had reached the Pride lands. “Aiheu abamami!” he repeated loudly. It was evening, and a very dangerous time to be small and walking about.
Metutu was a little afraid, but Asumini had a look on her face of expectant joy. These were the lands of her namesake’s grandson, the Lion King Ahadi. Ahadi’s father had once peeked shyly at her from the forest rim when Queen Asumini came proudly into Busara’s cave. He was a young cub, still small enough to be afraid of the strange monkeys with the striped faces. Asumini, a child herself, tried to pet Prince Zari, but for her trouble got a few minor scratches and a frantic game of hide and seek. Now she secretly hoped to satisfy her desires on Zari’s great son. Now it would be her turn to be afraid!
“Aiheu abamami!” Makedde called again.
“Aiheu abamami!” A lioness called. “Who’s there?”
“Makedde and two friends to see the King.”
Yolanda’s pleasant face burst through the grass. “My old friend!” She nuzzled Makedde, who took her large head in his arms and kissed her.
“Teacher, you do my heart good!” he said. “How goes the King?”
“Well--thank the gods--and you?”
“I’m back.”
“I can see that.”
“No, I mean I’m back where my heart lives. I’m BACK, Yolanda.”
She smiled broadly. “I prayed they would send you! How long this time?”
“Until I’m too old to dream.”
“And your friends here?”
“I’m Asumini,” the doe answered. “And this is my husband Metutu.”
“Asumini,” Yolanda said thoughtfully. “THE Asumini?”
“I suppose. Busara was my father.”
“Now THERE is a name that is known in these parts! How is
he?”
Asumini looked down. “Dead this moon,” she said.
“Oh Honey Tree, I’m so sorry! You and your friends must see the King. He will be glad to see you.”
Metutu looked at Asumini and smiled sheepishly. “I will go down in history--as Asumini’s husband.”
She smiled naughtily. “When I get you alone, you’ll know why.”
Makedde nudged Metutu with his elbow. “You walked right into that one!”
With Yolanda leading the way, they headed toward a tall finger in the moonlit sea of grass. Pride Rock was exciting just to look at. It seemed to have a life of its own, watching the savanna with a lordly detachment in rain or drought, sun or moon. As they headed toward the stone sentinel, it seemed to grow larger and more powerful, until even Yolanda seemed small.
A winding trail led up the side of the main hill toward a jutting stone promontory. Yolanda and the young mandrills were able to take it in stride. Makedde was a little winded, but his excitement began to mount as the promontory came closer. For at the base of the promontory was a cave, and in the cave, Ahadi.
“Guests for the King!” Yolanda sang out cheerfully. A regal face peered out of the cave, ivory in the spell of moonlight. “Can that be my old friend Makedde?”
“Indeed!” Makedde shouted, hurrying the last few steps. “Too long has it been!” He plunged his arms into the soft mane and stroked the strong shoulders. Ahadi nuzzled him. Then Akase came and stood beside her husband.
“Look at the old graybeard!” She kissed him, and she was hugged in turn.
Asumini watched with barely suppressed excitement. “Aren’t they beautiful! Look at them, Metutu! Look!”
Ahadi overheard her. “Come, friends! Don’t be frightened.”
Asumini headed for him as one possessed. With a smile of conquering joy that overpowered her fear, she did as her brother in law had done, burying her arms in Ahadi’s mane and kissing him around the face. “You beautiful creature! Aiheu has touched you with beauty!”
“Dear daughter,” he said, touching her with his tongue.
Metutu was also excited, but he was more reserved. Falling at Ahadi’s feet, he exclaimed, “I touch your mane!”
“Rise, friend. I feel it.”
Metutu stood before the great king. He wanted so badly to make a good impression.
“Sire, I have brought some gifts. One of my herbs will get rid of ticks and fleas!"
"Really?"
"Sure!"
Metutu held up a handful of something that Ahadi sniffed. "Gods, that should get rid of ticks and fleas all right. Pesky cubs, female companions, you name it."
"Well, it does have a slight odor."
"A slight odor??" Ahadi laughed. "Put that on a fresh carcass, and a starving hyena wouldn't eat it!"
Metutu looked down. “Oh, I’m sorry to waste your time.”
Ahadi nuzzled him. “Buck up, Metutu. If you want to get rid of ticks, perhaps you might groom me sometime?”
“Oh Sire, may I??”
“By all means.” Ahadi looked deeply into Metutu’s eyes, and the mandrill looked down, embarrassed. "You're rather shy, I've noticed."
"Oh? Well I may be a little shy, but I also show respect. You're a King and I'm not."
Ahadi laughed. "You're a monkey and I'm not. Now that we know who we are, let's be friends. Asumini set a good example."
Cautiously, shyly, Metutu stalked over to the lion. Unsure how to go about this, he came straight into Ahadi’s face, then backed back. He laughed nervously. “Oh yes.” He timidly reached around from the side and buried his face in the long, flowing mane.
“Oh, it is so wonderful!” The soft, flowing tresses caressed him and surrounded him. He stroked Ahadi and almost without thinking said, “You beautiful thing! You feel like a king! Oh!”
Eventually, Metutu stood back, realizing how he was going on. Before he could recover his composure, Akase motioned for him to come. She had no mane, but he felt the warm softness of her strong neck, and it was reassuring.
“And to think I almost missed this just to be chief!”
Suddenly, a string of lionesses entered. Cubs appeared from nowhere and began to mob them. Ajenti rubbed against Yolanda and purred. “What’cha got, Mom?? What’cha got??”
“Nothing, fuzzy love. But it won’t be much longer.”
Uzuri came to Ahadi. “My lord, no luck tonight. Still, there were no shameful deeds.”
He nuzzled her. "Even so."
"I touch your mane."
"I feel it."
Uzuri had kept her calm, cool disposition, but one of the young females was rather unhappy. It was her chance to become a lioness--to make her first kill. She had missed. Makedde whispered to Metutu the significance of that failure.
“She is still a cub in the eyes of the pride.” He added, “Why don’t you talk with Uzuri, the hunt mistress? She could use some cheering up.”
“What’s a hunt mistress?”
“She leads the hunt. The others obey her commands, for only through cooperation can they hope to succeed.”
“Oh. So she’s like a queen?”
“On the hunt she is. Here she’s one of the Pride Sisters.”
Metutu was not used to judging lionesses. But Uzuri seemed rather young to him to be entrusted with such a job. He nervously went to her to introduce himself. She didn’t look ready to be cheered up or even meet someone.
“Excuse me?” Metutu looked at her carefully. “I’m Metutu.”
“Uzuri,” she said.
“I hear you’re hunt mistrees.”
“Yes.”
Metutu crossed his feet nervously and began to squirm a little. “I may be wrong, but you seem awfully young to be hunt mistress.”
“Thanks.”
“You must be very good at it.”
“Thank you—uh--Metutu was it?”
“Yes ma’am.”
“Are those stripes real? I mean, do you paint your face, or is that natural?”
“Natural,” he said. “Females have a little color, but not this much.”
“Oh. That’s very interesting.”
She laid down and began to groom her forearms. In almost a state of shock, Metutu went over to Makedde. “The lionesses will be gossiping about our affair for many moons.”
Makedde smiled indulgently. “For a first contact, that was practically a torrid affair. I mean, she even asked you a question!”
“The quiet type, eh?”
“She’s had a bad hunt. Besides, she does not warm up quickly to strangers. She's just like that, so give her time."
Metutu nodded. “I think she’s like a melon. Dull color on the outside, but bright and fragrant on the inside. Look in her eyes. There is so much going on that she does not let show."
“Your perceptiveness will serve you well. She is anything but cold, but Uzuri does not expose her feelings to just anyone. Maybe someday you’ll find out. Her love is like a beetle that hides under a large rock. You don’t see it until you lift the stone, then it comes rushing out.”
“You sound like you have experience.”
Makedde took him to Yolanda, who was much more transparent. The moment she saw Metutu coming, she blossomed into a warm smile. “Who’s your friend?”
“This is Metutu. He’s been wanting to meet you all evening.”
Metutu broke into an embarassed smile. “What a pretty cub! Do you mind if I touch him?”
“Her. Ajenti.” Yolanda thought a moment. “Sure, why not. Be sure you support her under the head and back. You don’t look like the neck-carry type.”
Metutu picked up little Ajenti and hugged her up to his chest. “Oh gods, such a precious thing! She will grow in beauty like her mother. Isn’t she beautiful, Asumini?”
Yolanda purred. When he reluctantly put down the small bundle, Yolanda touched his hand with her warm tongue. “Welcome to the Pride Lands.”
Asumini smiled. “Our child will also be beautiful, like its father.”
>
“I feel beautiful when I’m with you,” Metutu said, stroking her cheek softly. “You are beautiful enough for both of us. And I think....oh my, the hour grows late!”
She looked out at the moon. “Yes, dear. We don’t want to wear out our welcome.”
Yolanda smiled coyly. “If you two want to see some great scenery, there is a nice path to the cistern behind Pride Rock. It’s a quiet place where you can talk undisturbed.”
Metutu took Asumini by the hand and bidding farewell to his hosts, he led Asumini away to spend their wedding night under the silvery stars. There, far from the prying eyes of night, their light went out into the world.
CHAPTER 28: SLOW WORK
Life in the baobab was not always easy. Asumini adapted with a cheerful attitude. Complaining did not make the work any easier, and it only lowered morale. So while she worked hard, she refused to complain.
Still, Metutu saw her one day working hard in the hot sun to gather herbs for him. He stood over her as she grubbed in the dirt with her stick.
"Get up, you."
She stood, a bit woozy in the heat. He put his arms around her and kissed her. "You come inside. You know that Jasmine does not do well in bright sunlight. I’ll take over."
He knelt and with the stick began to work up some roots. The sun was powerfully hot, and there was not much water left in the gourd. After only a few minutes, he was sweating profusely. "What have I pulled her into? She must really love me."
Occasionally someone would stop by the baobab. A cub with the colic, a lioness with a thorn in her leg. Even Ahadi came by to ask Metutu to pull ticks. It was a lot more enjoyable to have someone to talk to, and he enjoyed spending time with his new friends getting to know them better. Where Asumini would shamelessly hug his mane and kiss Ahadi, Metutu used the excuse of grooming him to fondle him and enjoy his company. Ahadi seemed to understand this, and he would make a habit of coming by frequently. Sometimes Ahadi would note the poor condition of Metutu’s fur and groom him as well. It became an outlet for their deep mutual affection.
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