placed a paw on his foreleg. “Dad, you’re a shaman. You have a duty and we know how important it is.”

            “And we know that you make as much time as you can for us,” added Adisa. “We love you.”

            “Adisa, Adabu, Njozi, you all know that I love your mother… but lately…” At this, he hung his head. He didn’t want to breakdown in front of his children.

            The cubs exchanged glances. Adabu and his brother turned to Njozi and noticed that there was a new glint in her eyes. Adabu stepped closer. “‘Jozi, I think its best you talked to Dad,” he whispered.

            Njozi was shocked. “Adabu, don’t you and Adisa want to talk -”

            Adisa held up a paw. “You and Dad have a special connection. You understand each other and you can help him more than us. He doesn’t know of your dreams and this is the perfect time to tell him.”

            Njozi nodded slowly. “Thank you brothers,” she said then turned toward Arif.

            Adabu and Adisa silently went back to their friends. “Was that a good idea?” Adabu wondered softly.

            “We can talk with him later. Njozi needs him more.”

OoOoOoOoOoOoOoOoOoOo

Baraka stared at the cheetah and leopard delegates. He did not want to be here, but Kahuni insisted. The cheetah advisor had sat beside the den of Pride Rock waiting for him to come out. When he did, Kahuni informed him that the two feline delegates would no longer wait to get their dispute settled.

            “They won’t wait any longer, sire,” said the cheetah. “They say that you’re king and that it’s your job to settle issues they can’t.”

            Baraka walked forward and stared at the lands. He’d been lucky the delegates waited this long. He wasn’t in the mood for this. He was worried for his brother and his brother’s family. After a long silence, he turned to face Kahuni.

            “They want this settled today?” he asked. The cheetah nodded. “Alright, go and tell them to meet in the same place.” With a bow Kahuni ran down the stairs and Baraka watched, his gaze deepening…

            “Your highness, this animal refuses to tell his people to stop drinking so much from the waterholes in our areas,” the cheetah said, rising.

            Before Baraka could speak, the leopard snarled, “Sire, he’s the one at fault. His people are rude and they push the elder leopards out of the way.”

            The delegates began to argue and Kahuni yelled for order, which made the two felines stop. “You’re acting like cubs, and in the presence of your king no less. Both of you settle down now!” the advisor snapped. The delegates calmed down and glared at each other.

            Baraka silently thanked Kahuni. He pawed the ground, closed his eyes, and thought. A few minutes later, he lifted his head and said, “Etana, would you come here please?”

            Sitting on a nearby rock ledge was the blind lioness and hearing the king’s voice, she leapt down to stand next to Baraka. “Sire…” Inwardly she knew what he wanted.

            Baraka turned to her. “Three days ago you said you’d be glad to help… Is that offer still available?”

            “I mean what I say, sire. If you want me to help, I will.”

            “You said that you believed one of the delegates was lying…”

            “Yes.”

            He smiled. “Then by all means, help me…”

            Without another word the gray colored lioness walked to the delegates and the advisor. Kahuni didn’t speak. He knew the king trusted her.

            The leopard stepped forward, his voice filled with scorn. “Sire, what is the meaning of this? Why would you bring a lioness to these proceedings, and a blind one at that? Who is she?”

            Kahuni lost his patience and without warning he leapt, pinning the leopard to the ground. He looked down at him. “Don’t ever insult this noble lioness in the king’s presence!” he snarled, his teeth just inches from the leopard’s neck.

            “Kahuni, let him go,” Baraka said firmly. He watched as Kahuni, with much hesitance, got off the leopard and return to his spot. Baraka eyed the leopard as he got to his feet and stood once more next his opponent. With a breath, the king spoke. “Leopard delegate, this lioness is here at my request. I am unable to come to a rational decision for this case and have asked her to help.” He looked at Etana, his eyes concerned. He knew she didn’t mind the insults but he did. He hated it. He didn’t care if she was blind.

            The delegates watched as the lioness walked in front them, but then, to their surprise, she circled them. They weren’t embarrassed, though the leopard was annoyed. She walked on the other side of the cheetah and turned again so she was facing them. Etana placed her feet firmly on the ground. She bowed her head and concentrated. The earth rumbled under her feet and she smiled. There was a physical reaction. She turned, pointing her face up to Baraka.

            “The leopard delegate is lying, your majesty,” she said.

            The leopard wanted to protest but Baraka held up a paw for silence. “Continue, Etana.”

            She did. She relayed everything she had heard, including her knowledge of the leopards and how they operated. The cheetah smirked. He was enjoying his opponent’s doings being laid out.

            “Sire,” Etana continued, “leopards are known for drinking too much. They don’t mean to but they have a tendency to just lay by the water and drink when it’s not needed.”

            Baraka was in thought but he heard every word. He rose. “Thank you, Etana.”

            The lioness bowed and sat once more on the sidelines.

            Baraka sighed. He had all the facts before him and the help he needed. It was time to make a decision. “Leopard delegate,” he began with an authoritative voice, “it is clear to me that you and your leader need to control how the water here is used and how much is drunk, so my ruling is as follows… For one month the leopards will drink the way any animal in these lands should. We cannot afford to have any shortage of water. The wet season has not come yet. If any leopard is caught drinking more than they should, they’re to be dealt with accordingly. Understood?”

            “Yes, your majesty,” the leopard said, bowing his head.

            “Cheetah, do you have anything to add?”

            “Nothing, sire,” the cheetah delegate said. “But I will tell my people not to drink too much water and to only drink the appropriate amount needed.”

            “Very well, this meeting is adjourned.”

            The delegates bowed and departed.

            Baraka walked down the hill, Kahuni and Etana following. When they left the meeting place, Baraka asked Kahuni, “Are there any other problems today?”

            The advisor thought for a moment then shook his head. “Nothing, sire…” He paused a moment. “If I may, I mean, if it’s

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