"From all the stories that I heard about them being our enemies to having them sort of befriend my father to eventually befriending me in a more true fashion, I now believe that the stories are far fetched. Those common thoughts are a little obtuse. Unless you really get to know a particular individual, you cannot judge what you do not understand. In a case like this, I have no doubt that hyenas are pesky scavengers when it comes to a feed and they often try to compete for territory, but traditionally us lions have no history of predation on them. It is competition, not predation. What we are competing for is our bid for the vital resources required to survive, and tension can often flare between two different species of carnivore when trying to get a fair share. But between us and them it hasn't always been like that. There have been times when we have left scraps and uneaten remains of prey behind when bellies have been full and hyenas take advantage and get their feed. So in a way, we are kind of helping them by doing that. It is a way of helping each other out to survive. That is what keeps the balance of nature going strong, otherwise the ongoing competition would put species' survival rates at risk."

Where did he learn so much about being wise? Mwezi pondered with astoundment at her mate's intellect. He really is alright.

"Yes, that is very true." Hekima responded out loud to his friend's statement. "And the competition that we have between us is not exactly like trying to kill one another. I suppose one has to do what must be done in order to survive, and I believe both species are still going fine to this day."

"If it has been an ongoing 'tradition' but neither species have shown signs of their numbers dwindling because of it, then we must be doing fine." Mwezi added.

"Yes, we are." Hekima remarked. "And I know that it is very unwise to attempt to fight them because they can be just as dangerous as us. We have the size, strength and power, but they have speed and extremely powerful jaws to go with those sharp teeth; so if they get their mouth on one of your legs, your bone with crush and snap. Those jaws are the most powerful in the world and they can break some of the toughest animal bones. So case in point: picking a fight with the wrong animal could mean a potential death wish."

"You're not wrong there, my friend." Kufuzu replied, agreeing with the co-leader's logic. "So in summary, you really have to know your enemies, and even supposed enemies, before you prevail against them. Then use your knowledge to perform the safest and wisest procedures possible."

"Well, all in all, your wisdom and compassion is very admirable." An impressed Hekima concluded.

"It's really something we can all learn from." Mwezi added. 

"It all comes from experience." Kufuzu replied. "You can teach it all you want, but in the end you have to learn it from everything you go through in life. Some things you have to learn by yourself."

His mate and friend nodded in quiet agreement. Again, they were amazed at what he had learned.

"Now," He spoke again with a change of subject. "I think I will just go outside and check on the pride and the hyenas and then I might get to sleep." 

"Yes, it is quite late." His mate responded. "I might do the same."

"Likewise." The co-leader added, beginning to yawn. "You go right ahead and we will see you soon."

"Right. But if you're already asleep, then good night."

"Good night." The two responded to Kufuzu in unison.

He smiled and nodded at them before he headed towards the den entrance and exited to carry out his inspection.

Hekima and Mwezi walked to the back wall of the den and lay down to get ready to go to sleep, but there was still a couple more things that they had to say:

"That is the side of him, in all of our time together, that I never knew." The co-leader said. "He really is a true respectable leader."

"Unique personality, if you ask me." Mwezi replied, admired at the fact that her mate was extremely special. 

"Despite the wishes of his evil father, he went by his heart. Truly inspirational."

"Yes, consider yourself lucky to have such a fine mate."

"Hence why I love him." A romantic reply sounded.

Hekima just smiled, very happy that she and his friend were very happy together. He then let out another yawn.

"Alright then, good night, Mwezi."

"Good night, Hekima." She responded with a likewise yawn.

And the two of them lay their chins on the rocky surface of the den and went to sleep. Not too long after, Kufuzu returned to the den after ensuring that all was good with his pride and his childhood friends, the hyenas, and went over to his resting place next to his mate and lay down to also turn in for the night. It would not be too long afterwards until the rest of his pride and the new acquisitions would follow suit.

What a very special day this has been. Kufuzu thought as he was about to go into deep sleep. First Mwezi becomes my mate, and then a very special reunion with my old friends whom I thought I might never see again. This day I will never forget for as long as I live.

He then went to sleep, happier than he had ever felt in his life.

*

The following morning back at Marakele National Park, South Africa, near the den where Mheetu had slept in the previous evening, he approached his second-in-command, Azima, and explained him the whole forthcoming situation and how he was to leave his alpha duties to his 'right-hand lion'.

"You have the strength and the wisdom to take charge, Azima." The main alpha lion was saying to him. 

"Remember that you have a strong pride and as a unit you have the ability to challenge anyone who dares to destroy that unit or take over your leadership. And remember what I taught you about respecting the more fragile or sacred prey that you hunt, including respecting the sacredness within the land itself."

"I promise that I will, Mheetu." Azima replied with positive assurance. "And I promise that the pride will remain safe and strong."

"I want you also to know," Mheetu added. "that it is be possible that we might not return if the worst should happen on our journey. In the unlikely circumstance, I am further entrusting you to continue to lead this pride. Can you do this?"

"I can also promise this." Azima replied. "But I do hope that you both will be fine on your travels."

"I can assure you of that. The inner and outer strength that we both hold will make for one strong threshold that cannot be broken. So this will be our promise to you and the pride."

"Well then," Azima responded with a smile of admiration at his leader. "best of luck to the both of you. Have a safe journey."

"Thank you, Azima."

The two lions bowed heads to each other before Mheetu then went over to his nephew and spoke to him about getting going. Azima went over to the rest of the pride and explained to them about  their two member's departures and the resulting changes to come. Some lionesses seemed concerned about this and some appeared sad about having to see them go, but they seemed to understand the reasons behind it all and they let it be. They then said their farewells to Mheetu and Kopa before the uncle and his nephew began running north towards their destination: Their place of birth and ancestral kingdom.

 

To be continued...

 

Azima, Kufuzu, Mwezi and Hekima (c) BlackJack16

All other characters (c) Walt Disney

 

I fully respect the laws and regulations against copyright violations.

 

(c) May 2014

BlackJack16.

 

 

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