“In a moment, Mano felt a light tap on his head and he cried out. But Aiheu said, ‘I was testing my swing. I should not want to miss and cause you extra pain.’
“Mano cringed again and shut his eyes tightly. ‘I am ready, Lord. Kill me as we have agreed and get it over with.’
“In a moment, Mano felt a harder blow that made him flinch, though it did not even draw blood. Aiheu said, ‘The sun was shining in my eyes, and I did not want to strike you wrongly.’
“Mano closed his eyes tightly and said, ‘Hurry, Lord. My mother is dying. My pain is not important when my mother is hurting!’
“Aiheu dropped the rock and put his arms around Mano. As tears streamed down his face, he said, ‘My son, my son! How I love you! Not one hair of your dear head would I harm, even if you were still a mortal which you are not. Come look in the water.’
“Mano looked into the spring at his reflection. He gasped, for his fur had turned snow white and his eyes were not hazel but sky blue.
“When you drank from the pool of Mara you became immortal. But it was not by chance you did this, for I had need of you.”
“’Whatever you need from me, I will give it gladly. Only spare my mother’s life!’
“Again Aiheu wept. ‘My child--the moment you headed into the East, I healed your mother.’
“He fell at Aiheu’s feet and kissed him. ‘Bless you!’ he cried, but he asked, ‘Why then did you continue to test me?’
“’I already trusted you, but now you have learned to trust yourself. In a real sense, you have given your life to me, for you are my servant now. But you will count your bondage the greatest freedom you have ever known. Neither time nor distance shall confine you, nor shall life nor death.’ Aiheu blessed him and kissed him. ‘As long as you remain faithful in your duties, I shall look after your every need. You shall rule the host of the Nisei, for you are now a king in your own right. For now, go home to your mother and be for her the good son you are. But when your mantlement comes, I will return for you and take you to your kingdom.’
“Mano went home to his family with much rejoicing, and he was indeed a son to bring his parents joy, but he passed his right of inheritance to his brother Akbar and nothing would he take away except the life his parents gave him.
“As the days passed into moons, his beauty grew until the very mountains and plains saw it. And creatures came from distant places to catch a glimpse of him. Many were the lionesses that knelt before him and said, ‘Remember me when you come to your mantlement!’ The path that lay before him was difficult and long, and when he explained to them what Aiheu had planned, they walked away sadly. Only one did not want to go away.
“Now when the days were due for his mantlement, Aiheu came out of the east to bless the sons of Malawi. ‘Akbar, you will be a mighty king and rule long and happily in the land. But of all creatures which I have made, the greatest is my servant Mano. In him I place authority to oversee my kingdom and only my word shall surpass his. Great shall be his wisdom, and mighty his power, and any good thing that he asks of me, it shall be done.’
“Mano left to wander the world, doing the will of Aiheu wherever he went. The lame he healed, and the ill he made whole, and as Mano’s fame spread, the beauty that shone from his eyes seemed to increase as well, for he never healed another that he did not also strengthen himself, and he never taught another that his wisdom did not also increase, for in the measure he showed goodness to others Aiheu showed it to him.
“For a while he was satisfied with his solitary path, making a new friend over each hill, but passing on like the restless wind. Aiheu kept his promise and looked after all of Mano’s needs. But Mano had one need that became more keen with the passing of years. He begged Aiheu for a mate, someone like him who would accompany him.
“Aiheu heard his prayer and found a lioness named Minshasa whose heart was pure and good. At his bidding she drank from the lake of Mara and became immortal and dazzling white. Then she was sent in search of her husband, and was told only that he was ‘one like her, of great courage, wisdom and love.’ But he did not tell her Mano was a white lion.
“In her wandering, she found N’ga, son of Ramallah. He was strong and comely, and brave enough to make her a handsome consort. But before he could pledge to her, his brother Sufa came and challenged him for her favors. The brothers fought bitterly for three days under the sun and moon. They were of one strength, one endurance and one determination. Neither could prevail, and they fell to the earth exhausted
“Minshasa felt that both lions were too foolish to be the husband Aiheu had promised her and she went on. It was then she saw Mano by the mountain called Niobe. And he knew her at once as the mate Aiheu made for him. Joyfully he came to her and said, ‘The wife I prayed for has found me.’ And at once he pledged to her and she to him.
“As for the mother of the blessed Mano, death came to her as it came to all mortals, but it could not separate her from her son. That is why it is said to this day in the mantlement, ‘Like Mano, you shall not forget who gave you life.’ And do you know what her name is? One of us has it.”
Togo said, “Was it Kombi?”
Isha laughed. “No, you little Rat Fink!” She pawed him and said, “It’s Isha! That’s why it’s one of my favorite stories. So cubs, did you three learn anything from this?”
Kombi said, “I sure did! It’s stupid to fight over a girl for three days. N’ga should have told her to choose between them.”
“Well, that’s one thing....” She looked at Jannie, who was drying her eyes. “How about you?”
“That’s easy. Love is the strongest thing in the world.”
“Very good!” Isha nuzzled her. “That’s certainly true.”
Togo sat still and somber, and after it was a while before Isha noticed and nuzzled him gently. “I haven’t heard from you.”
“The same thing she said.” Togo said, looking down. “You know, love.”
“But there’s more, isn’t there?”
Togo looked her in the eye. “I guess so.”
“You guess so??” Isha tenderly nuzzled him. “What are you thinking? You can tell your Aunt Isha, honey tree.”
“Well, I was just thinking about Malawi and how much he loved Mano.”
“He did indeed.” She quietly said, “Just like Mufasa really loved Simba, and Ahadi really loved Mufasa...and I guess Scar too. You came along at a bad time. Things weren’t always like this.”
“I wonder if my dad even knows I’m alive,” Togo said morosely. “I wonder if he even cares if I’m alive.”
“Why, Togo! Of course he cares! That’s what your mother said.”
“She doesn’t tell me nothing about him.”
“Anything.”
“You said it. And I’d like to meet him, but Mom won’t even tell me who he is.”
“She hasn’t told me either. But she said that someday soon you’d know all about your Dad. Uzuri told me he was wonderful and kind, and he will love you very much. Buck up, son, and humor your mother in this. She will tell you when she feels the time is right.”
Isha got up, tested her foot, and finding she could rest her weight on it she limped toward Pride Rock with the cubs in tow. “Yes, Togo, you have a very good father because no one else would be good enough for your mother.”
Togo moved alongside and nuzzled her shoulder. “I love you, Aunt Isha.”
THE STORY OF N’GA AND SUFA:
“Grow old along with me. The best is yet to be.”