do the work of two cubs. Enjoy your life to the full. Climb and jump, and when you do say, See, Simba! How fast I can climb, how high I can jump! Look at me!"

"But I'd be talking to myself. Simba's gone, Rafiki. He's not there."

"Oh, but he is. Let me show you something." The shaman closed his eyes and breathed deeply, his narrow chest swelling. He rocked gently for a moment and hummed tunelessly at the edge of Nala's hearing. Then he became still, and rested for so long that Nala thought he had fallen asleep and wondered if she should prod him with a paw. and sigh. Her old enthusiasm had been missing for so long. But Nala smiled.

"That sounds cool! Thanks Zazu." She laid her paw on her mother's much larger one and whispered "Simba would be jealous."

Sarafina licked her ears. "On the contrary, I think he'd be very proud of you. I want to start your hunting lessons, too. You're big enough now."

Zazu cleared his throat impatiently. "No time like the present, if you get my meaning. Nala, we'll sweep East first. Ready?"

"Ready!" Nala replied, saluting smartly. The hornbill took off, and Nala streaked away across the grass, keeping his winged shadow over her back. As she went Sarafina heard her say:

"C'mon, Simba, let's go!"

  Can you picture what will be
So limitless and free?...imba, a little thing like death cannot tear them apart. Simba will always be with you, Nala, whether you see him or not."

He swept his staff in an arc, taking in the whole sky. Orange and crimson around the climbing sun, the higher air was still night-blue and a lone star lingered. Nala stared with him, out into the morning. "Isn't it beautiful, Simba?" she said without thinking, leaning to one side as if resting against someone her own size. She knew just how Simba would react: another day for play and adventure! Now she would treat the new dawn as a fresh start, too.

Rafiki nodded. "Now you have it! That's the way. And so, back to your mother with you."

"That's a wonderful idea, Zazu. Thank you," Sarafina was saying. "Oh, here she comes!" She greeted her daughter with a nuzzle, which Nala returned, butting the lioness with her small head.

"Mom, Zazu, I'm going to do as you said and keep going." She tilted her chin up, looking determined. Her mother embraced her.

"My darling, I'm proud of you. I know it won't be easy, but we'll all be here for you in the sad times. Zazu, Sarabi, Rafiki - everyone. And Zazu has a job for you, if you'd like to accept it."

The hornbill cocked his head. "I feel it's time you had more responsibility, Nala. You're growing up fast. So how would you like to come on dawn patrol with me? You can cover the ground while I keep tabs on what's happening up above." Bird and lioness watched anxiously for Nala's reaction, afraid she would shake her head t seemed to linger over the place known as the Elephant Graveyard. Long shadows reached out towards Pride Rock, and Nala shuddered. She remembered Simba leading her there, promising a cool adventure. They had been two bold cubs that day, full of their own bravery and cleverness. But the hyaenas' attack had turned their gloating to terror. She recalled slipping down a long spine bone, almost into the wicked mouths of the waiting pack, and Simba rushing back to growl and claw her defence. What a day that had been. What a day.

"You see?" Rafiki broke into her thoughts. "Simba, he's your friend. He doesn't want to hurt you. He wants you to be happy and playful again."

"I can't!" Nala wailed.

"You can. You must. For Simba's sake."

Nala frowned, not understanding. How could it help Simba if she was happy? But then, how could it help Simba if she was sad?

"Simba can no longer run and play in the Pridelands. He can no longer smell the scents and taste the tastes. So you must do the work of two cubs. Enjoy your life to the full. Climb and jump, and when you do say, See, Simba! How fast I can climb, how high I can jump! Look at me!"

"But I'd be talking to myself. Simba's gone, Rafiki. He's not there."

"Oh, but he is. Let me show you something." The shaman closed his eyes and breathed deeply, his narrow chest swelling. He rocked gently for a moment and hummed tunelessly at the edge of Nala's hearing. Then he became still, and rested for so long that Nala thought he had fallen asleep and wondered if she should prod him with a paw.