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"Yes. How are they?"
"Well Kombi's a king and Togo's his Prince Consort." Uzuri smiled. "Their father died, but his death gave them a new life. Life is like the wind--if you don't like the way it's blowing, wait and it will change." She kissed Ela
"Really?"
"Yes, and you could have a fresh start...." She frowned. "No! Your home is here, and you're going to come home where you belong."
"But they all hate me. They'll never forgive me for marrying Taka."
"I think they will. Don't you want to see your sister Sarabi again?"
"Oh gods, I'd give anything to see her. But it will never work!"
"I don't want you to give anything--just the effort to trust me and come back. Give it a try."
"But facing all of them alone...."
"You're not alone. I will be with you."
"Why are you so good to me?"
"Because I love you, and because I promised Taka that I would look after you the way you asked me to look after him."
Ela
"He died like a real lion. You would have been proud of him."
"You are good, Uzuri. So good to me. If it's the two of us, I will give it a try. It can't hurt."
"The three of us," Makaka said.
"The four of us," Rafiki said. Rafiki threw his arms around Ela
Bravely, hopefully, the four friends headed for Pride Rock. According to Ela
Ela
It was the time when Sarabi should have been cub-setting in her usual spot. Rafiki looked around the entrance and spotted her resting in the cool shade. She glanced up at him. “Rafiki, come here old friend!”
“I’d like to, but I think you might want me to wait outside.”
She laughed. “What are you talking about, old monkey?”
“You’ll see.”
Ela
Uzuri half smiled and nodded “yes.”
La
La
Uzuri drew close and whispered, “I know. We all are.”
Death had once seemed like release to Ela
There was no where to run. She was in the middle of the Pride Lands, and the only way out was through. She kissed Uzuri good bye and hoarsely began to whisper the prayer of the dying--in case she did not have the time to utter it in her moment of greatest need.
In a move that was not meant to be morbid, and was not taken morbidly, Rafiki made the sign of Aiheu, circling her eye and touching under her chin. He nodded. “It is time.”
Then she stepped into view....
“Who are you?” Sarabi asked. The bright light behind her made Ela
Ela
Sarabi’s eyes grew wide and her ears drew back. “You’re dead! Oh my gods!”
“No, Sassie. It’s really me!”
The queen mother looked at her. Her chin trembled and her chest heaved. Tears began to run down her cheeks. “La
“Sis, I want to come home! Oh gods, I want to come home!”
Sarabi rose from the ground and sprang up, wrapping her paws around Ela
La
“I love you too! I’m sorry I wasn’t there for you. Oh Honey Tree, can you forgive me?”
“What do YOU think?” Ela
“I know. Ten hyenas to one lioness. That’s what we heard.”
“I wanted to come back and help. Really I did, but I thought you didn’t....”
“Hsssh, Honey Tree. It was a bad dream. You’re awake now.”
“How about the Pride Sisters? How many died? How many of the cubs?”
“None and none. Aiheu was with us. Some of the hyenas were with us too. I was bitter and full of rage, but I was touched by a great light that day. Now you’re here and there is no darkness left.”
Makaka slipped his arms about Rafiki, and the old mandrill reached down and kissed his cheek. Tears filled Rafiki’s eyes. “All is as it should be.”
Some of the cubs came forward and looked at the two entwined in their tearful embrace. Sarabi stood up and wiped her face with a paw. “My sister Ela
Sarabi proudly said, “The one in the middle is Tanabi. Simba’s boy. My grandson.”
“Your grandson?”
“And your nephew.” Sarabi smiled at Tanabi. “Come kiss your Aunt La
Tanabi came forward and rubbed on Ela
La
One asked, “Why are you crying?”
“I’m crying because I’m so happy a smile isn’t good enough!”
Another asked, “Can you tell me a story?”
Ela
Uzuri poked her head in the cave. “Is everything OK in here?”
Ela
THE END: TOUCH OF THE NISEI