A mandate, given by the Lion King, stated that by four years of age, females were supposed to be out, finding a mate to later reproduce with, making the pride larger and stronger. Males were to be evicted immediately after coming of age, they were expected to take one female with them and create their own family, never meant to return unless they planned to challenge the King. This rule was strongly enforced with no exceptions. On a stormy night in Western Africa, a lioness named Jani gave birth to six lion cubs. Five were girls and one boy, Mathati, were born into the world, while the wind tore long stalked grass from the earth, and rain cut into fur coats like knives. Because these cubs were born during a storm, which didn’t happen …show more content…
The Kings particular odor wafted up from the darkness of the cave, smelling of rotting animal flesh and dirt. Lessons were about to begin.
He emerged from the darkness, a mess of golden mane exiting the den before the rest of him. Glaring down at Mathati from a foot above him, a deep baritone rumbled out of his mouth, “Are you ready to begin?” the phrase echoed in his ears and dampened his already low spirits.
No, he was not ready to begin, nor would he ever be. “Yes, Your Majesty. What lesson have you prepared for me today?” the purpose of these lessons were to make Mathati a great Lion King one day. Do everything the Kings do, never take a command, a plea, or show any pity. What a life to look forward to.
“Today, my son, you are to learn what happens to those that do not follow orders. Follow me,” the King said, an option going unpresented in his tone of voice. Walking down into the darkness, Mathati could hear the skittering of mice across the dusty floor, and the muted noise of someone crying. “Have no mercy on these lions Mathati, for they have disobeyed their king,” came from ahead of him in the
…show more content…
To kill a lion, not in your own pride for nothing less than self-defense was severely frowned upon. It was not illegal for a lioness to pursue her mates elsewhere, often times she was even encouraged to. The fact that the King had doled out a punishment at all was a testament to his insanity that was slowly starting to come to the surface.
“Sir, the murder of one, not your own, is illegal,” he said quietly.
“So is the defiance of your King,” the Lion King roared. “You do not tell me what I can and can’t do. Get out of my sight before you end up with the same countenance as her!”
Mathati ran out of the cave as fast a he could, the picturesque scenes of the savannah whipping past his blurry eyes. He could never be a King, for he was not cruel enough. After what seemed like a lifetime of sprinting, Mathati found himself in the midst of an antelope field. Looking around, his quick arrival in their area seemed to have not disturbed many of them. A rumbling worked its way up from his stomach. He was