SCENE: WHATEVER THE LIGHT TOUCHES


The next morning, Ahadi rose earlier than was his custom.
Stealthily, he crept over to where his twin sons lay side by side,
and with the most careful nudge touched Mufasa. The cub shifted
but did not rouse. He pressed again, a little harder, and stirred
Mufasa from his sleep. Muffy looked up a little surprised and
irritated, but Ahadi touched his mouth with his paw and silently
jerked his head about to say "follow me." His interest piqued,
Muffy struggled to his feet quietly and began to follow his father
out of the cave.
Taka, who was a light sleeper, felt a cold place on his back
where it was warm before. He grunted and pushed himself back
toward a brother that was not there. Sleepily he felt around with
a paw, then looked about and just caught a glimpse that he was
missing something important.
On stealthy paws, he stirred himself and crept out onto the
platform that served as his spectacular front porch. There in the
light of the early morning sun sat father and son. Mufasa leaned
against his father, gold rimmed in the splendor of daybreak.
"Why wasn't I invited?" Taka wondered. He wanted to bury
himself in the fragrant softness of his father's mane and enjoy
the sunrise. For a moment, he considered snuggling up on the
other side. Then Muffy said, "What's up, Dad?"
"Shhh! You'll wake Taka."
Taka enjoyed secrets, so he crouched in the doorway where he
could see and not be seen.
"See what the light touches," Ahadi purred softly. "That is
the boundary of my kingdom. I sit here sometimes and look at it
and it humbles me. So many peoples depend on me, and I must put
their needs above my own. But it has been wonderful. It is
always wonderful to be needed, especially when you always do your
best to meet those needs. Someday you will know that feeling when
I am gone, for I have chosen you to follow me."
"Me?" Muffy looked genuinely surprised. "Whoa, neat!"
Taka gasped. "No! It's not fair!" formed on his lips, but
no sound came out.
Muffy said, with some difficulty, "But Taka has always been
the smart one. I thought sure he'd be King. He knows
everything."
"Not everything, son, though he is very bright. You're
bright too, though you need to apply yourself more in your
studies. I brought you out here in the hope that you would work
harder if you knew what was at stake. What you are learning is
the wisdom of our people. You are the future king. As long as
you know how to be a good king, you will have lionesses who can
chase wildebeests." Ahadi sighed deeply. "The decision was not
easy. Don't tell Taka just yet. Right now, it's our little
secret."
"Why is it a secret, Dad?"
"Because as you say, Taka is smart. He tries so hard. If
he knew he would not be King, he may be discouraged and waste the
talents that Aiheu gave him. Much as you were tempted to do." He
looked deeply but not judgementally into Mufasa's eyes. "You know
I speak the truth, don't you. You are very clever when you want
to be." He sighed deeply. "This should have been a happy
occasion. Instead it breaks my heart. I wish I had a kingdom to
give each of you, but I don't."
"Why can't we cut it in half. He can take that half, and
I'll take this?"
"That's very kind of you, Muffy, but it won't work. Hunting
would be poor in a smaller kingdom. Accept fate--the whole
kingdom belongs to both of you, but you will be King, and he will
not. That's why I taught you the story of N'ga and Sufa. If you
always fight and can never agree, the prize will often go to
another. If you love Taka, and I know you do, you will say
nothing for now. I want to tell him in my own way when the time
is right. I will be gentle."
"I see." Mufasa said thoughtfully, "I want to be King
someday, but I sure feel bad about Taka. I won't tell till you
say it's OK."
Ahadi smiled. "Maybe you have to work harder on your
lessons, but you have a good heart. That was my greatest hope, to
leave this world without worries or regrets. When I think of you
as King after me, I feel no worries or regrets."
For a moment, Taka was very angry, but his anger soon
changed to hurt. Head bowed and ears flattened, he sneaked back
to the warmth and comfort of his mother.