ever been in a group can understand the power of peer pressure. Some people crack easily, and succumb to society and its standards. Those people are weak. Others refuse to break, even when society standards will help them. Those people are stupid. However, others will look at a situation logically in the face of such pressures, and if conformity is the best choice, they will allow it to happen. Those people are wise. Fortunately, Simba’s wisdom shone through this moment, and he made the wise choice.

“Okay,” he purred, sounding a bit deflated, “I just didn’t want you all to think me weak because of this.” There was a collective breath of happiness from the pride upon Simba’s statement, and several giggles of relief. For the next piece of the morning, the pride spent their time comforting their ailing king, letting him know everything was going to be okay and giving them their own personal promises of support. Nala hung back and watched, as Simba’s face gradually turned from one of despair to optimism. This would have gone on forever had Rafiki not burst in with cub-like energy.

“Okay everyone!” he called out, “Its time to go! The king and I have to talk, go on! Shooshooshoo! Ha HA!” Simba glanced at the mandrill, wondering what the excitement was for. He smiled as the pride gave him some final nuzzles as they left. Nala stood alongside him, as Rafiki came over to Simba with a bow.

“What’s all the excitement Rafiki?” Nala asked, “Did you find something out about Simba’s shoulder?”

“Of course,” the mandrill grinned, “usually this injury is debilitating and results in the death of the injured, but I found a few things that just might give us a sporting chance.” Simba and Nala looked at each other hopefully, then at Rafiki who smiled at them both. “Just trust old Rafiki, he knows what to do! Follow my instructions and everything should be okay!”

“When do I start?” Simba said anxiously.

“Right now!” Rafiki laughed, “First, you have to rest that shoulder for the amount of time I told you, then we begin the rebuilding!” Nala smiled at Rafiki and nudged him gently with her muzzle.

“This is great news! Thank you Rafiki.” she purred to him. Rafiki’s smile waned imperceptibly, and he spoke to Nala.

“Now then dear lioness, we have to let the king rest. He’ll be needing it.” he said, beginning to lead her out. Nala sensed the urgency in his voice, and playing it cool, padded out with a smile.

“Okay,” she gave Simba a quick lick before going all the way, “rest well love.” Simba, oblivious to the silent body language between the two, went back onto his side and promptly fell asleep.

Directly outside the cave, Nala accosted Rafiki with a worried look. His smile got smaller and smaller the further from Simba they got, and Nala’s concern was growing exponentially. When they were out of his hearing range, she finally burst.

“What is it Rafiki? What’s wrong with him?” She said, the panic in her voice obvious. Rafiki looked at her gravely

“I’m afraid the information I found is two tailed my queen.” he said softly, eliciting a quizzical look from Nala.

“Meaning…”

“Meaning, that there is no way to tell what will happen with this.” he looked into Nala’s captivating eyes, trying to help her deal with the fear he could see welling up inside of her. “He could come out of this a new lion, fine in every respect or…” he trailed off.

“Or???” Nala asked expectantly.

“Or,” Rafiki sighed, “The injury will linger, and increase in frequency. He will experience the dislocation more often until finally it gets so bad, he would be unable to walk.” This elicited a gasp of horror from Nala, who looked back into the cave tearfully,

“Oh my poor Simba.” she whispered, beginning to cry, “If only I hadn’t teased him that night, if only I hadn’t-”

“Hush my child.” Rafiki spoke softly, patting the hurting lioness on the head, “This will be especially hard for the both of us, but we must be strong. Because if we are not, then he certainly will be unable to handle this on his own.” Nala sniffled, swallowing the emotion that began to show.

“I understand.” she said softly, clearing her eyes of guilt for the moment. Giving a final sniff, she nodded to Rafiki, “Thank you, when will you be back?”

“Three weeks.” He said definitively, “And then, the real test begins.” With that, he leapt down from Pride Rock, nimbly getting to the bottom and heading towards his tree. Nala padded slowly out to the promontory and watched him go. How helpless she felt! And how guilty! It was hard to accept that she had made a direct impact on what could be the future of her mate, her pride, and all those in it. Glancing to the sky, she marveled at the radiance of the sun that morning.

Obviously, nature had no inkling of the dark clouds surrounding her heart, or Pride Rock.

Time is short,

Time is infinite.

Time is subjective,

Time is omnipotent.

Time is merciless,

Time is forgiving.

Time is sweet,

Time is self-fulfilling.

Time is brain,

Time is brawn.

And before you know it,

Time is gone.

For three weeks, the Pride Rock pride endeavored diligently to help their downed ruler. The lionesses were more successful in the hunt than they had ever been before. Successes were scored on every kill, as the motivation to help Simba increased. Upon a clever suggestion from Zazu, Simba authorized the lionesses to allow the hyenas the remains after the pride was taken care of. This simple but effective move began a period of peace between lion and hyena. It may not have lasted forever, but it was long enough to allow Simba the comfort of not worrying about them.

Huddled around their ailing king, the lionesses snored softly. Simba was awake, not so much because of his shoulder but because of the anticipation. The injury had stopped hurting about a week ago, and several times Nala was the only thing that kept him from moving about. The spot he was in was worn, and besides squirming a little from one area to another, he had been in the cave the entire time. It might have been miserable, if it had not been for the comical play of cubs who wanted to cheer up the big lion.

Simba sighed aloud. He had been a cub once. So full of promise and potential. So strong, so fit, so energetic. There had often been talk about how he would fare as a king. His energy always promised good things for him. And here he was, king of Pride Rock, injured and confined to his own cave. The time had given him much to think about, and much sadness as well. He had finally made it. The kingship he had been dreaming about all his life and suddenly, in a swift fell motion they were gone. Torn away by impulse and fate.

He glanced to the ground before him. Many a tear had fallen there since he first discovered the true nature of the injury. And yet there was so much more to go! Rafiki made intermittent visits to make sure he was staying put, but today his return was to be different. Today he was to start rehabilitating the injury which had rendered him helpless. After all the time still, he was literally pawing at the ground, ready to start moving again.

A small sound caused his ear to swivel towards the entrance. Looking up, he could hear the familiar hum of an annoying song.

“Asante sana, squash banana…” the soft voice floated over the early morning. Simba’s heart raced, suddenly feeling a pang of uncertainty. He was certainly excited about moving again, but was it going to be successful? What if he tried and found out he couldn’t move? What if he didn’t have the same range of motion that he had before? While the lion pondered these questions, the mandrill came up behind him and rapped his side lightly with his stick.

“It is time Simba, are you ready?” he asked. Turning his head to Rafiki, he nodded eagerly. Rafiki smiled a little, “Then lets go.” he said, starting out.

“Go?” Simba inquired, “You mean, as in get up and follow you?”

“No,” the mandrill said with a twinkle in his mind, “I mean just your tail. The rest of you can stay here.” Shaking his heavily maned head with a chuckle, Simba rolled to his belly carefully. Not placing any weight on the injured shoulder, he rose weakly at first into a three legged stance. Reminding himself not to wake the pride, the lion limped out with his helper at his side for support.

Upon rolling over, Nala’s suspicion that something was missing was confirmed. She could feel several cubs alongside her, and the proximity of a nearby lioness. However, upon flicking her tail backwards, there was only a warm spot where her mate used to be. Turning rapidly, her mind flew into action.

“Where’s Simba??” she though to herself frantically, “He didn’t try to go off again did he?” Glancing around in the dim but growing light, she made out the familiar footprint of Rafiki in the dust, along with a large pawprint that could only belong to her love. It dawned on her that today was three weeks since the accident, and that Rafiki and Simba were out working on it. Sliding a warm, fuzzy cub towards another lioness subtly, she got up and followed the hints left by the two early birds. If there was work to be done, she intended to help Simba do it.

“OWW!” Simba roared as Rafiki