Ni and Kula- a love story

C1 Overcoming trauma

     Four days had passed since Ni and his daughter Aketch had arrived in the Pridelands. Their physical wounds were starting to heal through the care and skill of Rafiki. Simba and his pride had been able to do little other than watch over the pair as they slept. Seeing Ni in such a state had been heart breaking for Nala, Sarafina, Tama, Kula and Sarabi. The state of Aketch had effected all the lioness deeply and each night they had to listen to her whimpering and calls of pain.

      In the coolness of the evening the lions carried Ni and Aketch to pond that in a small glade of tress on the slopes near Pride Rock. With the greatest care both lions were laid in the shallowest parts of the water. Standing in the water Rafiki, Nala and Kula bathed the pair, Rafiki using plants that acted as a cross between soap and antiseptic to clean the wounds on their bodies. As the water did its work Ni looked up at Kula.

“Thank you,” Ni croaked through cracked lips.

“I am glad to help,” Kula replied softly, splashing water onto his mane.

    A cry from Aketch caused the pair to look over to where she lay in the water. Looking past her they could see Simba talking to a male wild dog called Pika, who was the leader of the   pack that lived in the Elephants Graveyard. Fear shone in Aketch’s eyes as she looked at the wild dog.

“Aketch you’re safe, he is not going to hurt you,” Ni said softly.

“Daddy,” Aketch whispered looking up at the adults.

“Aketch you don’t have to be scared, Pika is our good friend,” Nala said, gently licking her cheek.

      The look in Aketch’s eyes showed utter disbelief at Nala’s words as she had been taught to fear all other predators. To the relief of all Pika and Simba had overheard the exchange and decided to move their conversation elsewhere. A roar broke through the tension, coming towards them were Tama, Sarafina and Sarabi, all three dragging huge pieces of meat. Dropping the meet down on the grass the lioness beckoned to Ni and Aketch.

“Eat. Both of you need to regain your strength,” Sarafina ordered.

“Thank you,” Ni replied. “All the extra hunting must be tiring.”

“Do not even think such a thing, we want to help you both,” Sarafina replied firmly.

    Looking at his friends Ni allowed himself to relax and enjoy the late evening sun and the food. Seeing her father’s relaxed demeanour Aketch curled up next to him, soon drifting off into a peaceful sleep.

        Just over a week had passed since Ni and Aketch arrived. Their wounds were nearly healed though their emotional wounds were only just being discovered.  Through regularly meals they were beginning to lose their emaciated look. Laying on rocks under a star filled sky Ni spoke to his friends about the events of the recent past.

“My mate Katlego was an amazing lioness, we were so much in love, losing her has broken my heart. When our first daughter Majani was born two years ago it was one of the happiest days of my life. We were so happy the three of us. I tried so hard to provide for our family but the drought was sever, our home lost herds,” Ni said, pain evident in his voice.

“No one would every accuse you of not trying to provide. We all understand how difficult the hunting became,” Sarafina said kindly with a trace of bitterness.

“I promised to always protect her when we met. I was a rouge and she was part of a strong and happy pride. When she became pregnant with Aketch………..Majani suggested we leave then. I feared for Katlego. To take a risk of our cub being born in an unknown place. She found it hard. When Aketch was born in the height of the drought,” Ni said his voice breaking.

“Ni we understand,” Simba said, placing a paw on his shoulder. “You were in a very difficult position.”

“I should have done more. It was my fault,” Ni croaked, tears falling freely. “If I had just been stronger. We might have reached your jungle Simba, Katlego could have lived. I was too scared to make a change. Majani was right, I am nothing but a coward.”

“Ni that is not true!” Kula said ferociously. “You are a not a coward. Aketch is still alive despite everything that has happened.”

“Aketch has suffered so much in her short life. I’m worried about her, she will not talk about what happened. Well you’ve heard her call out at night. I want to help……”

“Let me talk to her,” Kula said a shard of pain in her eyes. “I lost my mother when I was young. I understand some of what she is going through.”

“I’m sorry Kula I didn’t know.”

“You don’t need to be sorry. It was a long time ago,” Kula said brushing the pain aside.

“I would be grateful for that Kula. I have tried myself.”

“Ni you are grieving yourself. You put the needs of Aketch before your own. You have kept her alive through difficult circumstances. No one here has anything other than praise and admiration for you. Let us help you,” Simba said supportively.

“I am in your dept. I do need help,” Ni whispered.

      A few days later Kula and Aketch were sat together on the grass in front of Pride Rock, nearby Ni and Simba stood talking to Pumba. With a nod to their friend the two male lions headed off into the savannah, Ni giving Aketch a reassuring smile as he past. Watching his friend leave Pumba saw the flicker of uncertainty in Aketch’s, his heart aching at the sight of her fear.

“Aketch seeing as your Dad is going out with Simba how about I stay with you and Kula?” Pumba said trotting over.

“You don’t have to, I don’t want to be a burden,” Aketch replied submissively.

“It’s not trouble at all. I’ve heard from Kopa that you like stories, how about I tell about my old home in the jungle?” Pumba said kindly.

“Kopa told me you lived there for a long time,” Aketch replied quietly.

“I sure did,” Pumba replied smiling.

          Sitting next to Aketch and Kula, Pumba told them about his past, how he had met Timon, their journeys together, their time with Simba, life in the jungle and Hakuna Matatah. As he spoke Pumba gently asked Aketch about her home, her favourite places and her friends. Totally at ease Aketch answered his questions, recalling fun times with her family despite the difficult circumstances. Seeing Pumba’s plan Kula gave a warthog a warm look of appreciation. Describing her older sister Majani, Aketch suddenly stopped, her eyes filling with pain and confusion she turned to Kula and Pumba.

“Did I do something to make Majani leave?” Aketch whispered, tears pouring from her eyes.

“No sweetie nothing you did made your sister leave,” Kula replied nuzzling her.

“But why did she leave me? Was I to demanding?”

“Aketch sometimes bad things happen to good lion,” Pumba began gently. “Majani loved you a lot. I think Majani would have liked to have taken you with her but she was too scared encase she couldn’t look after you. Had you been older when she left then I bet she’d have taken you.”

“Pumba is right Majani was only young, she must have thought you would be better staying with your father.”

“So I didn’t do anything wrong it’s not my fault?” asked Aketch disbelief in her voice. 

“None at all,” Pumba replied smiling with sincerity.

“Then why did she argue with Daddy a lot?”

“Lioness at her age all argue with their parents to test the boundaries, you’ll argue with your father when you get to her age, arguing is all part of growing up,” Kula replied with a wink.

“Pumba would you and Kula tell me more about the Pridelands?”

“Of course,” Kula replied.

        Arriving home a while later Ni found the trio laid on a rock, Aketch totally engrossed in a story Pumba was telling her about one of Simba’s escapades in the jungle. Seeing her father Aketch ran over. Listening to her stories Ni smiled, his heart jumping with joy.

“Kula, Pumba thank you for taking care of Aketch today. I’m glad you could help her,” Ni said as he passed, a look of gratitude on his face.

“It was our pleasure Ni,” Pumba replied.

“Aketch is a sweet cub,” Kula replied smiling at Ni.

   The days passed, day by day Ni and Aketch healed yet both still awoke at night with terrible nightmares. Slowly Aketch’s nightmares began to get less and less yet with Ni they increased as he relived the horrors of recent months. As the days passed Aketch began to bond with Kula and the stability that came with living in the pride was clearly having a good impact on the young cub. Aketch became good friends with Kopa and began to act like a cub for the first time in her life.

      Standing under a tree in sight of Pride Rock, Ni watched Aketch play Kopa, Suka who was Timon’s son, Akil son of Zazu and Dumisa a wild dog who was Pika’s son. Meeting Dumisa had allowed Aketch to overcome her fear of other predators. As Ni watched Kula came to stand next to him. For a while they just watched youngsters play, laughing at Aketch’s attempts to catch Akil

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