Children of the Savannah

Day with Dad

Time had passed since the return of the true king and the overthrow of tyranny during the Battle of Fire. With the droughts' end and sensible rule the land had returned to all of it's glory. For all the trees that had been destroyed two had grown in their place. Time had changed things for Simba and friends. Since Timon had married a meerkat called Tabia and becoming a father he changed. While still fun loving he was responsible and level yet still with his talent for jokes. Pumba had accept the change, he himself had become one of Simba's trusted emissaries, daily going about the kingdom on royal business. To the children of Timon and Simba he was Uncle Pumba, someone who they could have fun with and who was always there to listen to them. For the three friends from the jungle life was good.

In the pale morning light Kopa raced through the grass surrounding Pride Rock, the sun making his fur shimmer like gold. On his back sat a meerkat kit, Sudi the youngest son of Timon and Tabia. While Kopa knew all of their children it was Sudi who was his best friend as the other three kits preferred to spend time with other meerkats. Above them flew Zazu's son Akil, the oldest of Zazu's five chicks with his mate Mert. The trio were firm friends and were often found sharing adventures and occasionally in mischief. In contrast to his father, Kopa did not have a talent for trouble, though he did have a head for heights which brought a different raft of concerns. After all it was a heck of long drop from some of the trees. Sudi was similar to his father in appearance with a too much courage for his own good. Akil was the opposite of a Zazu in personality, with a fun loving nature and talent for story telling which often led to some very tall tales.

Jumping onto a rock Kopa let out a loud roar, his eyes falling on the path that led away from his home. While home was fun he had explored the area a lot, turning to his friends he grinned.

“How about we explore further? Now we have permission to wonder alone,” Kopa said turning to his friends.

“Defiantly, this place is boring,” Sudi yawned in reply.

“How about we go down to the river? I've heard that's a great place to explore,” Akil suggested.

“Great idea Akil,” Kopa replied while Sudi nodded enthusiastically.

Filled with excitement Kopa and Akil set off, their paw and wings stretching as they tried to match the other's speed. Running through the lush grass they passed herds of gazelle and zebra. Seeing the young prince some of the adults smiled fondly while some of the foals raced with Kopa and Akil. Swooping down Akil picked Sudi up putting him on the back of a young stallion.

“This is great” yelled Sudi, gripping onto his mount's mane .

“Wait till I run faster kid, then tell me how you find the ride!”

Looking up at his friend Kopa roared as zebra increased his speed, causing Kopa and Akil to lag behind. Sudi felt his breath taken, the adrenaline surging through his veins. Suddenly the zebra skidded to an abrupt halt causing him to fall forward onto the zebra's neck. Arriving at the zebra Kopa and Akil looked at the creature with slight annoyance. Flying down Akil lifted Sudi from the zebra's back and back onto Kopa's. Tossing his head the zebra trotted off to rejoin his heard while Kopa and Akil looked ahead at the mighty river that weaved it's way through the kingdom.

Walking down to the river the trio's eyes were like saucers, their senses taking in all the sights and smells around them. Vultures, flamingos, elephants and other drank from the clear water while long scaly crocodiles lazed in the sun and the elephants stood on in the water. Climbing onto a rock Kopa and Sudi dived in. Under the water they looked around at the fish that swam around them. Then a pair of eyes looked at them and the long body of an adult crocodile came onto view. Seeing the reptile the pair surfaced, coughing up water and taking in gulps of air.

“Well well now what do we have here, three young mischief makers I believe,”the crocodile said flashing his teeth.

“Morning Buzubi, meet my friends Akil and Sudi,” Kopa replied as a slightly smaller crocodile swam up behind them.

“So we finally get the meet the three of you without your parents,” the second crocodile said swimming up behind Akil.

“We have been given permission, besides I am a prince, I can do what I like Sobeck,” Kopa replied confidently.

“I suppose you can Kopa,” Sobeck laughed while his father Buzubi rolled his eyes. “I bet your parents wouldn't be too happy if they saw you now though.”

“They couldn't do anything, my Dad talks to the both of you everyday,” Akil replied ruffling his tail feathers.

“Fair point that,” Buzubi said.

“So what are the three of you up?” Sobeck asked flicking his tail.

“Just exploring,” Kopa replied.

“We are looking for our first adventure away from home and out parents,” Sudi replied bravely.

“Adventure is it. Dad and I are off on river patrol of the river.........Do you three fancy coming along for the ride on our backs?” Sobeck asked circling them.

“What ride on your back?” Sudi asked an awe.

“If you are brave enough,” Sobeck replied daring the youngsters to resond.

“Sobeck hold your zebras son they are very young,” Buzubi began.

“I'm brave enough,” Kopa replied climbing onto Sobeck's back.

“I'm coming to,” Subi replied climbing onto Buzubi's back.

“Well I'm not missing out,” Akil said joining Sudi.

Looking at the youngsters Buzubi groaned inwardly, cursing his son's bright idea and praying none of the youngster's fathers saw them. Respected though he was, Buzubi was well aware the potential reactions. Going down the river Kopa, Akil and Sudi watched the happenings on the banks with interest. Vultures watched the river closely, through the foliage they caught sighted of a leopard with two cubs, birds bathed in the shallows while wilder beast, warthog and many other drank from the clear water. Reaching a piece of bank Kopa saw a large group of crocodiles laying in the sun while other lay like logs in the water. Seeing Buzubi and Sobeck the crocodiles seemed to wake up, their attention fixed on the pair and the cubs. As Buzubi and Sobeck conversed Kopa, Sudi and Akil received a close up view of their teeth, thankful they were safe from harm. Leaving the crocodiles Sobeck and Buzubi continued on their way.

Standing looking over the river, Simba and Zazu did a double take as their eyes landed on their sons both utterly flabbergasted.

“Looks like we are in hot water,” Buzubi muttered, indicating with his head to Simba and Timon.

“HI DAD”!” Kopa called waving a paw.

“HI KOPA,” Simba called back, his eyes filled half with amusement, half with concern.

“SEE YOU AT HOME, DAD” Akil shouted grinning at the less than happy look on his father's face.

At this Zazu shot his son a glare before turning away with Simba, both thinking the same thing, whose bright idea was that? Seeing their father's looks Kopa and Akil burst out laughing. As the sun began to sink set on the horizon Sobeck and Buzubi took the cubs back to the section of river where they had met them. To their surprise they found Simba and Zazu waiting for them the latter glaring at the two crocodiles.

“I ought to have the pair of you sacked for this, what were you thinking?” Zazu snapped.

“Rreeellaxxx Zazu they were safe, besides they chose to take the ride,” Sobeck replied rolling his eyes.

“That is beside the point. The three of them are to young to fully understand the potential consequences.”

“That's not fair Dad I knew what I was doing,” Akil replied angrily.

“Yeh Zazu we know about crocs,” Kopa replied flicking his tail.

“Easy Zazu we have both had a shock but no one was hurt, we may not have done it but it was an experience,” Simba said steeping between his son and adviser.

“My mate would have a heart attack of she found out, come on Akil home,” Zazu replied taking to the air.

“Sudi I’ll give you a lift home,” Simba said.

“Thanks Uncle Simba,” Sudi replied climbing onto Simba's back.

“Sobeck, Buzubi thanks for taking care of these rascals.”

“It was a please Sire,” Buzubi replied as Simba, Kopa and Sudi headed home.

“Whatever either of you do, do not mention your trip to your mothers,” Simba said as they walked.

“Don't worry Dad I wasn't going to, Mum would hit the roof!” Kopa replied smirking.

Arriving home they found Nala, Timon and his mate Tabi waiting for them on the rocks. Seeing the exhausted looks on the youngsters faces Nala and Tabi took them off to bed while Simba relayed Sudi's adventure to Timon.

“That rascal! We thanks for bringing him home safely, night Simba.”

Entering the cave Simba found Kopa sleeping peacefully next to Nala, whose green eyes glittered in the darkness. Falling asleep he let the days concerns fall away from him.

Return to the Elephant’s Graveyard

One morning a couple of days after his crocodile adventure Kopa woke to find his parents, Grandma Sarabi, Uncle Pumba and Zazu in deep discussion regarding a pack of wild dogs who had taken up residence in the Elephant's Grave Yard. The dogs had requested hunting rights and permission