“When will I meet a real lion?”
“In a few moments. I see her coming now.”
“Where? Where??”
“Over there. Don’t be afraid. You’ll become use to it.”
Makaka looked up, way up. His knees began to buckle. Rafiki put his steadying hand behind his back to keep him from falling over.
The large head of the huntress drew near. Makaka could smell the warm moisture of her breath, the mild scent of her fur. The large eyes were fixed on him.
“Please don’t hurt me.”
“I won’t.” Uzuri smiled and pushed forward, nuzzling him gently. Then she touched his cheek with her large tongue.
Makaka gathered a little strength and took a good look at her. “Isn’t she beautiful!” he told Rafiki. He was almost afraid to make the remark directly to her. Then when she nuzzled him again, he asked, “May I?”
He realized his hope, putting his arms around her strong neck. “Oh, your fur is so soft! Oh, this is so wonderful! You even smell good! Can I come home with you?”
Uzuri looked at Rafiki. “Got any more like him?”
Rafiki chuckled softly. “I think you’ve made another conquest.”
Without fear, Makaka looked right into Uzuri’s soft eyes. She smiled gently and so did he. “What’s your name?”
“Uzuri.”
He bowed awkwardly. “Makaka,” he said. “Glad to meet you, Uzuri.”
“So I gathered.” She rubbed his cheek with her paw with surprising gentleness. “And I’m very glad to meet you, Makaka.”
“Can I see you again?”
“Any time.”
“Where can I find you?”
“Don’t worry. I’ll find you.”
With only a mild rustle, Uzuri disappeared into the grass.
“Wow,” Makaka said. “I was right next to a real lioness!”
“You were right next to seven real lionesses.”
Makaka looked around nervously. “Seven?”
“That I counted, anyhow. Don’t worry. You’re safe. In fact, you’re safer now than you’ve ever been before.”
When they departed, Makaka was talking non-stop about her. “Are all lions like her?”
“No two are alike. Just like us, they are all different.”
“I mean nice like her.”
“Well, more or less. Fact is, if you were an antelope you might not like her as much.”
“I should think not,” Makaka said with a nervous laugh. “Those were really big teeth. Big!”
“Yes. But when she carries cubs by the nape of the neck, she doesn’t leave a scratch. It’s not what your mouth looks like, but what you do with it that makes you dangerous. My old teacher was killed by a single word from a mandrill just like you.”
“Was it a magic word?”
“No. It was a thoughtless word. That is the worst kind.”
“Does Uzuri like me?”
“I think she really likes you,” Rafiki said.
“That’s nice. I’d hate to mess with her.”
“I don’t just mean you’re safe. I mean she really likes you, and she will miss you when you part. She doesn’t usually take to someone right off. Maybe you’re special.”
Makaka grinned broadly. “I’m glad. I really like her too. She’s really special.”
“When you stop to think about it, everyone is really special,” Rafiki said. “But you made me very proud today. I took a great risk turning down the council’s choice. The gods pointed to you.” Rafiki stroked his whiskers. “But don’t let it go to your head, you hear me? The gods did not choose you so much for what you have done, but what you are expected to do.”
“And what is that?”
“What you did today. Spread your love around. I’ll tell you friend, there are herbs I give out in small amounts. A little bit will do wonders. Too much may kill. But love is always best given in large doses and often. I can teach you how to use herbs, but only God can teach you to love. That’s why I did not pick your brother. Among other reasons.”
Makaka was now part of Rafiki’s job so he would have to meet everyone. Pride Rock stood before them like a monument to nature’s immense power. The sheer size of it took Makaka’s breath away.
“Can we get closer?”
“We’re going to climb it.”
They took the winding path up to the cave. At the door, he met Zazu who said, “Greetings, Master Makaka. Welcome to the Pride Lands!”
“Thanks. Who is the big lion?”
“That is King Simba and next to him is Queen Nala.”
Makaka fell to the ground and crawled toward Simba face down the way he would before the chief elder saying, “Unworthy am I! Unworthy am I!”
Simba smiled. “Little one, you can’t be that unworthy or you wouldn’t be here.”
Makaka kept his forehead to the floor waiting for the signal to rise. Simba did not understand.
Finally after several awkward moments, Rafiki came forward and whispered something in Makaka’s ear. The young mandrill looked up timidly and said, “I touch your mane.”
“I feel it.”
“Really?” Innocently, Makaka came forward and reached out to feel of the long, soft fur. He looked at Nala and smiled. “Gee, you’re pretty.”
Nala purred and touched Makaka’s cheek with her paw. “You’re cute.”
Makaka smiled, embarrassed. But as soon as he felt he’d paid his respects, he went back to Uzuri, putting his hand on her shoulder.
Later, he went out on the promontory. “Here is where the great kings come in to their estate.”
Makaka went to the tip of the rock and looked down. The height scared him for a moment--it was much higher than any tree he’d ever climbed. Then he gathered his strength, drew in a deep breath and went, “Rrrwawwrr!”
Rafiki said, “You’ll have to do better than that if you want to be King of Pride Rock someday.”
Makaka set his eyes. He drew in a very deep breath and opened his mouth. Suddenly an earth-shaking roar nearly sends Rafiki into a panic. He looked around and saw Uzuri, a mischievous grin on her face.
CHAPTER 59: UZURI AND MAKAKA
Uzuri came to think of Makaka almost as her own cub. She looked after him, gave Rafiki loads of unsolicited advice on taking care of him, and every chance she got she mothered him. Makaka responded in kind. In fact, he practically worshipped her.
That's why she ended up telling him stories of the old times, of the gods and the customs. Because from her came the undiluted leonine viewpoint. She was the authority after all, being somewhat fond of her culture. Rafiki contented himself with teaching Makaka the ceremonial and pharmacological arts.
Once when Uzuri was talking with Makaka, she told him about tracks. “When they are close, an animal was moving slowly. When far apart, it was moving quickly. How deep they are tells you how heavy the animal is. Even sometimes if it is male or female. The point is you can tell much about an animal from the tracks it leaves. If you would know about Aiheu, look at his tracks. He has marked this land and everyone in it. When I look at you, I see his wisdom and beauty, so I have no excuse for ignorance of God.”
Makaka kissed her. He yawned, tired from a long time listening to stories. Snuggling down, he curled up with her as a pillow for his head. Uzuri tenderly draped her paw over the child. Rafiki came looking for him and found him asleep next to Uzuri.
“Be very quiet,” she said. “He’s asleep. A little too much folklore, I suppose.”
“If he doesn’t learn his herb medicine, it will be all your fault.” Rafiki was being friendly, but a little reproachful.
“If he doesn’t have love, his medicine will have no heart.”
“Well met,” Rafiki said with an approving nod. He knelt down by her and said quietly, “The boy needs a mother. I try to care for him, but I cannot be a mother.”
“He must eat with you. I know nothing about such things.”
“Agreed. That and his herbal lore. All else I give you. Frankly, I envy the child.”