CHAPTER 25:  THE SIGN

	His rest was disturbed by the early morning singing of birds.  He 
looked about.  The sun was up, and in the early morning light the field 
looked almost magical.  Where had the night gone!
	He was hungry, and for once no one had prepared breakfast.  His 
stomach was ready to mutiny and he had to eat something!  He took a few 
supplementary bits of dried fruit from his basket and managed to locate 
a few ripe fruits on Mafutu bush.  This would have to do.  Taking a 
little of his precious water supply, he ate slowly to make the meal more 
filling, then relied on his morning meditation to take his mind off his 
mean diet.  He prayed for each of the friends he left behind, and for a 
few that recently went to join Aiheu in the heavens.  Finally, he 
remembered Asumini.  How his mother had wanted to see them marry before 
she died!  But far removed from the sights and people he associated with 
his duty and his griefs, he could contemplate Asumini on her own merits.  
And what his cleared head and purged heart were telling him was 
unmistakable: he loved her!  Beneath the plans of others and the call of 
duty was a real love.  He missed her terribly, and hoped she felt the 
same way about him.
	He traveled far that day.  There was a change of scenery, and he 
seriously worried that he could get lost if he did not watch for 
landmarks, and perhaps leave a few.  The path was looking more and more 
like a simple scratch in the earth, and he worried that this game trail 
may disappear completely.
	It did worse than that.  It was joined and criss-crossed by many 
others.  Now he knew that without God's guidance he may never find his 
home.  But still he kept his faith in the fore and continued.
	Finally, he had made it to the savanna.  It was a land of 
windswept beauty, but it was also a land that had never known the Peace 
of Asumini.  Here he was not corban.  "Aiheu abamami!" he cried.  Surely 
he would not be attacked with the holy name of God on his lips!  "Aiheu 
abamami!"  He saw the eagle on the kopje, and his heart danced!  The 
eagle looked at him, said, "Aiheu abamami!" and vanished.  So he knew 
that was his place, and he sat on the rise to pray.  Though it was a 
very exposed spot, he was no longer afraid.
	He ate certain plants he found there, but only at sunrise and 
sunset.  His Spartan regimen was enough to frighten most young bucks 
away.  There was very little sleep, much prayer and chanting, and 
bedding on the bare ground at the mercy of the gods to keep him safe.
	The first two days yielded no visions.  But the simple living he 
endured opened his spirit to the small voices inside more than days of 
talking to others could have.  At times, he could feel the presence of 
Asumini and Busara, giving him subtle nudges in the right direction.  
His prayers flowed naturally from the heart--they were not forced or 
contrived.  The light-headed sensation that came from minimal food and 
much water cleared out all of the spiritual impurities of his past.  He 
felt like a gourd ready to be filled.  Somehow, he knew he would not 
wait much longer.  Somehow, he was certain that the gods were with him.
	By the third day, he passed a very important stage.  He felt glad 
that he had come, whether or not he saw a spectacle.  For his heart knew 
a peace it had never felt since his mother's illness.  Once again he 
felt like a fresh young student listening to Busara's stories in the 
cave.
	Finally on the fourth day, he saw a sign.  From the jungle came a 
spirit leopardess.  He knew her the moment his eyes caught sight of her.  
He could feel her strength, but he could not feel fear.  "I greet you, 
Mother of Death."
	"Mother of life now," she purred.  Indeed, in her soft hazel eyes 
was warmth and approval.  "I spared you for a reason that even I did not 
know.  It was perhaps the greatest thing I ever did."
	"You taught me that other people have feelings too."  He held out 
his arm.  "Asumini is not here now.  I would apologize for my own 
behavior, from the heart."
	She came to him and smiled.  "Yes, you are changed."  She purred 
and quickly touched his hand with her tongue.  "I tell you this day you 
will find answers."  Before Metutu could answer her, she had vanished.
	It was a puzzling saying.  Did she mean, "Today I tell you that 
you will find answers," or "I tell you that you will find answers 
today?"  One way or another, it gave him hope, and he renewed his 
efforts, praying to Aiheu with arms outstretched.  He looked into the 
golden sun, then bowed his head to the ground.  By concentrating on the 
phrase "Aiheu abamami," he could block out all other things.  His 
excitement made it difficult to achieve the state of openness he 
desired, but eventually even his excitement was set aside and in the 
purity of his fasted body and open mind came the realization that he was 
being tugged in the spirit.  He closed his eyes, then bowed his head to 
the ground once more.
	Suddenly he felt himself yanked upright, though he didn't feel any 
hands on him.  He opened his eyes and saw that he was in a very bleak 
place, no trees, no grass, no birds in the sky.  All is dead.
	Then he saw was a pure white lioness.  He had seen a leopard close 
up before, staring at him from tree to tree.  He'd been terrified of 
encountering such a thing again, but she was bigger--much bigger--and 
still he was not frightened.  She spoke to him of strange and wonderful 
things that in the barren world were like an oasis of joy:

	Silver swans fan the moon with misty praying wings
	Night shadows gather over every living thing
	Silent shining dewdrops are caressing fragrant flowers
	Follow me beloved, for the mystery is ours!

Her voice, like a siren, pulled him onward and upward.

	Soft fur cushioning your gentle, weary face
	Senses are filled with joy, heart is filled with grace
	Time has no meaning here, heaven knows no bound
	Follow me beloved, and tread on holy ground!

	She nearly led him to walk off a cliff, but at the last minute she 
prevented it.  He pursued her and she ran from him, but no faster than 
he could follow.  At the top of the sacred mountain, before a cave, she 
came to him.  "Metutu," she half whispered.  "Have you ever heard the 
sun rise?  Have you ever tasted the wind?"
	"No, my lady."
	"Neither have I."  Her laughter was merry and infectious.  "Yet 
stranger things shall you hear and taste.  Now let us make life."  
Rather surprisingly, a pure white lion came over the ridge.  Quiet as a 
snowflake, he padded toward the white lioness.  "Stay here," she said to 
Metutu, nuzzling the white lion passionately and following him into the 
cave.
	Metutu saw nothing, but moments later there was a cry of ecstasy.  
Brilliant golden light streamed from the mouth of the cave.  Almost at 
the same moment under his feet grass sprouted and spread.  Flowers 
pushed up through the earth and budded into rapturous bloom.  Forests 
raised branches in worship toward the gods, and in the boughs birds 
emoted their woodnotes wild.  In the dry creek bed, water rushed with 
passionate intensity toward the distant lake.  The leaden sky turned 
deep blue, and the sun with golden intensity painted everything in vivid 
colors.
	From the cave, the white lion staggered.  Then he glanced briefly 
at Metutu.
	"Are you a god?" Metutu asked.
	"Are you?" the lion asked.  Then he collapsed and his breath 
rushed out in a prolonged sigh.
	Metutu ran to the lion.  Felt of his heart.  He was quite dead.  
Metutu did something he'd always wanted to do, but under happier 
circumstances.  He ran his fingers through the soft white mane.  With a 
flint from his pouch, he took a small lock of the mane and cut it, 
putting the fur lovingly away.  "Poor thing, poor beautiful thing.  Pray 
for me when you sit among the stars."
	"Do not mourn the living," Busara said.  "His power, his life, are 
all around you."
	Busara's sudden appearance startled him.  "What does this mean?" 
Metutu asked.
	"Does it have to mean something?"  Busara smiled beguilingly and 
embraced him.  "Perhaps there is a great light inside of you.  Perhaps 
it is in everyone just waiting for love to release it.  And when you 
give up that love, sooner or later it comes back to you."
	The white lioness came from the cave.  She went and breathed on 
the face of the white lion, and his eyes opened.  The lion, more 
beautiful than ever, lifted his head and kissed her.  Metutu looked on 
with his face beaming.  Now he understood.  "Live, friend.  Live forever 
in love."
	Suddenly, Metutu was back sitting on top of the kopje where he had 
gone to meditate.  He looked around and saw nothing had changed since 
that morning.  Then just to be sure he glanced in his pouch.  With 
trembling hands, he pulled out a lock of pure white fur that was not 
there before.  He closed his eyes and caressed the lock to his cheek.  
"O thank you, Father Mano!  Thank you!  Live forever in love!"


CHAPTER 26: INITIATION

	When Metutu returned from his vision quest, he did not go to see 
his father or his friends.  He was met at the outskirts of the village 
by a couple of pages who took him in the strictest silence down the 
pathway to the meeting place of the council.  Walking this path in 
silence was on pain of banishment, for the spirits of evil must not have 
a trail to follow to the heart of the community.
	The Council of Elders had convened and around the council rock sat 
all of the important leaders of the village.  On council rock itself sat 
Metutu's brother Makoko who was now chief.
	Metutu bowed to the ground before Makoko.  "I am not worthy."
	"You are worthy, my brother.  Rise."
	Gravely Makoko stared at him.  It is what Metutu expected, for the 
events playing out there were part of initiation, and he was not upset.  
"So candidate Metutu, you have returned to us.  What have the gods shown 
you?"
	Metutu looked over the large group.  He fought to keep his nerves 
in control, took in a deep breath and let it slowly out.  "I was taken 
to a barren land under gray skies.  It was cold and desolate.  Then into 
it came a lioness of purest white who sang to me.  She invited me up a 
sacred mountain where on the peak she met a white lion.  She said, `let 
us create life,' and the two of them went into a cave.  Then they...."  
Metutu bowed his head sheepishly.
	"Candidate, what the gods reveal is beyond reproach."
	"Well, they made love.  At least I think they did from the way he 
cried out."
	One of the younger members snickered, but he was quickly cut down 
by several icy stares.
	"Anyway after he--cried out--this bright light went out of the 
cave and everything that was dead started to bring forth life.  The 
skies were blue and full of singing birds.  There were trees and grasses 
and rivers and all kinds of animals.  It was so beautiful!"
	"And what does this mean?"
	"Busara told me that there was a light inside of me waiting to 
come out."
	"You saw a vision of Busara?"
	"It was a vision, but Busara was there.  They were all there!  
Look!"  He pulled out the lock of white fur.  "This is from the lion's 
mane!"
	There were gasps from the assembly.
	Makedde stood by him.  "I ask permission to teach the candidate 
the ways of healing."
	"Granted, Makedde.  But first I should warn the candidate that 
those who would seek the truth are apt to find it."
	The very next day, Metutu was preparing to leave for the Pride 
Lands.  He was approached by Asumini, a name well given for she was 
fragrant with the smell of blossoms that she crushed in her hair.
	"I'm proud of you Metutu.  When you first came to study with us, I 
laughed at you.  But you're not funny.  I think you're very brave and 
that the love of truth burns in you."
	"I covet your praise most of all."
	"I was worried about you.  The whole time you were gone I only got 
a few hours sleep.  And what's more, I missed you terribly."
	"Oh Asumini!  I missed you too!  You are my very special friend."
	She said "As special as you could need or want."  She kissed him 
passionately.
	He trembled.  "Oh gods, I feel like the white lion."
	"Tell me about the white lion."
	"In my vision quest, there was a lioness white as snow.  She came 
to the dead world and told me that we must create life."
	"And did you?"
	"What a thought!"  He smiled.  "Of course not!  A white lion came 
over the hill.  They nuzzled and went into a cave together."
	"Oooh, that sounds romantic."
	"Just wait till you hear this: there was a great light--a living 
light--and soon the dead world was filled with life.  Then Busara came."
	"You saw my father?"
	"Yes.  He said to me, `We all have a great light inside us, just 
waiting for love to release it.'"
	With the back of her hand, she stroked Metutu's cheek and under 
his chin.  "The wait is over.  Let me release your light."
	"Asumini," he whispered, looking at her face.  "I don't have the 
right to ask you.  My path is long and stony.  It would lead you far 
from friends, far from the jungle shade.  It would lead you to hard work 
and long hours."
	She took his hand and gave it a squeeze.  "Don't be afraid.  I 
will go where you go, and I will make the light in you shine, and you 
will bring life into the world."
	Metutu said, "If I died and if you breathed on me, I would live 
again."  He took her other hand.  "We must see the priest.  If you would 
come with me, I would give you my very soul.  But if you left me, I 
would lose it.  You must love me forever, or not at all."
	"It will be forever, Metutu.  We will live forever in love."
	At the sound of that phrase, he gasped.  "Live, friend," he said, 
kissing her.  "Live forever in love."
	A mild breeze stirred them as they stood with their arms around 
each other, so much in love.  They did not notice the alluring scent of 
wild honey, nor did they know that Busara cradled Neema gently in his 
arms and kissed her on the brow.  "Just look at them.  Our children 
getting married!  Where has the time gone?"
	Later that evening they went to the priest.  Metutu looked into 
Asumini's eyes and smiled, for her eyes were glowing.  "Metutu," she 
whispered, "Your eyes are glowing."  The priest bound their hands 
together with a vine.  "One blood, one love, one family," he intoned.  
"Look well, o gods."



CHAPTER 27:  IN THE LIONS' DEN

	Makedde's call of "Aiheu abamami!" was the first sign that the 
three mandrills had reached the Pride lands.  "Aiheu abamami!" he 
repeated loudly.  It was evening, and a very dangerous time to be small 
and walking about.
	Metutu was a little afraid, but Asumini had a look on her face of 
expectant joy.  These were the lands of her namesake's grandson, the 
Lion King Ahadi.  Ahadi's father had once peeked shyly at her from the 
forest rim when Queen Asumini came proudly into Busara's cave.  He was a 
young cub, still small enough to be afraid of the strange monkeys with 
the striped faces.  Asumini, a child herself, tried to pet Prince Zari, 
but for her trouble got a few minor scratches and a frantic game of hide 
and seek.  Now she secretly hoped to satisfy her desires on Zari's great 
son.  Now it would be her turn to be afraid!
	"Aiheu abamami!" Makedde called again.
	"Aiheu abamami!" A lioness called.  "Who's there?"
	"Makedde and two friends to see the King."
	Yolanda's pleasant face burst through the grass.  "My old friend!"  
She nuzzled Makedde, who took her large head in his arms and kissed her.
	"Teacher, you do my heart good!" he said.  "How goes the King?"
	"Well--thank the gods--and you?"
	"I'm back."
	"I can see that."
	"No, I mean I'm back where my heart lives.  I'm BACK, Yolanda."
	She smiled broadly.  "I prayed they would send you!  How long this 
time?"
	"Until I'm too old to dream."
	"And your friends here?"
	"I'm Asumini," the doe answered.  "And this is my husband Metutu."
	"Asumini," Yolanda said thoughtfully.  "THE Asumini?"
	"I suppose.  Busara was my father."
	"Now THERE is a name that is known in these parts!  How is he?"
	Asumini looked down.  "Dead this moon," she said.
	"Oh Honey Tree, I'm so sorry!  You and your friends must see the 
King.  He will be glad to see you."
	Metutu looked at Asumini and smiled sheepishly.  "I will go down 
in history--as Asumini's husband."
	She smiled naughtily.  "When I get you alone, you'll know why."
	Makedde nudged Metutu with his elbow.  "You walked right into that 
one!"
	With Yolanda leading the way, they headed toward a tall finger in 
the moonlit sea of grass.  Pride Rock was exciting just to look at.  It 
seemed to have a life of its own, watching the savanna with a lordly 
detachment in rain or drought, sun or moon.  As they headed toward the 
stone sentinel, it seemed to grow larger and more powerful, until even 
Yolanda seemed small.
	A winding trail led up the side of the main hill toward a jutting 
stone promontory.  Yolanda and the young mandrills were able to take it 
in stride.  Makedde was a little winded, but his excitement began to 
mount as the promontory came closer.  For at the base of the promontory 
was a cave, and in the cave, Ahadi.
	"Guests for the King!" Yolanda sang out cheerfully.  A regal face 
peered out of the cave, ivory in the spell of moonlight.  "Can that be 
my old friend Makedde?"
	"Indeed!" Makedde shouted, hurrying the last few steps.  "Too long 
has it been!"  He plunged his arms into the soft mane and stroked the 
strong shoulders.  Ahadi nuzzled him.  Then Akase came and stood beside 
her husband.
	"Look at the old graybeard!"  She kissed him, and she was hugged 
in turn.
	Asumini watched with barely suppressed excitement.  "Aren't they 
beautiful!  Look at them, Metutu!  Look!"
	Ahadi overheard her.  "Come, friends!  Don't be frightened."
	Asumini headed for him as one possessed.  With a smile of 
conquering joy that overpowered her fear, she did as her brother in law 
had done, burying her arms in Ahadi's mane and kissing him around the 
face.  "You beautiful creature!  Aiheu has touched you with beauty!"
	"Dear daughter," he said, touching her with his tongue.
	Metutu was also excited, but he was more reserved.  Falling at 
Ahadi's feet, he exclaimed, "I touch your mane!"
	"Rise, friend.  I feel it."
	Metutu stood before the great king.  He wanted so badly to make a 
good impression.
	"Sire, I have brought some gifts.  One of my herbs will get rid of 
ticks and fleas!"  
	"Really?"  
	"Sure!"
	Metutu held up a handful of something that Ahadi sniffed.  "Gods, 
that should get rid of ticks and fleas all right.  Pesky cubs, female 
companions, you name it."  
	"Well, it does have a slight odor."  
	"A slight odor??"  Ahadi laughed.  "Put that on a fresh carcass, 
and a starving hyena wouldn't eat it!"  
	Metutu looked down.  "Oh, I'm sorry to waste your time."
	Ahadi nuzzled him.  "Buck up, Metutu.  If you want to get rid of 
ticks, perhaps you might groom me sometime?"
	"Oh Sire, may I??"
	"By all means."  Ahadi looked deeply into Metutu's eyes, and the 
mandrill looked down, embarrassed.  "You're rather shy, I've noticed."
	"Oh?  Well I may be a little shy, but I also show respect.  You're 
a King and I'm not."
	Ahadi laughed.  "You're a monkey and I'm not.  Now that we know 
who we are, let's be friends.  Asumini set a good example."
	Cautiously, shyly, Metutu stalked over to the lion.  Unsure how to 
go about this, he came straight into Ahadi's face, then backed back.  He 
laughed nervously.  "Oh yes."  He timidly reached around from the side 
and buried his face in the long, flowing mane.
	"Oh, it is so wonderful!"  The soft, flowing tresses caressed him 
and surrounded him.  He stroked Ahadi and almost without thinking said, 
"You beautiful thing!  You feel like a king!  Oh!"
	Eventually, Metutu stood back, realizing how he was going on.  
Before he could recover his composure, Akase motioned for him to come.  
She had no mane, but he felt the warm softness of her strong neck, and 
it was reassuring.
	"And to think I almost missed this just to be chief!"
	Suddenly, a string of lionesses entered.  Cubs appeared from 
nowhere and began to mob them.  Ajenti rubbed against Yolanda and 
purred.  "What'cha got, Mom??  What'cha got??"
	"Nothing, fuzzy love.  But it won't be much longer."
	Uzuri came to Ahadi.  "My lord, no luck tonight.  Still, there 
were no shameful deeds."
	He nuzzled her.  "Even so."
	"I touch your mane."
	"I feel it."
	Uzuri had kept her calm, cool disposition, but one of the young 
females was rather unhappy.  It was her chance to become a lioness--to 
make her first kill.  She had missed.  Makedde whispered to Metutu the 
significance of that failure.  
	"She is still a cub in the eyes of the pride."  He added, "Why 
don't you talk with Uzuri, the hunt mistress?  She could use some 
cheering up."
	"What's a hunt mistress?"
	"She leads the hunt.  The others obey her commands, for only 
through cooperation can they hope to succeed."
	"Oh.  So she's like a queen?"
	"On the hunt she is.  Here she's one of the Pride Sisters."
	Metutu was not used to judging lionesses.  But Uzuri seemed rather 
young to him to be entrusted with such a job.  He nervously went to her 
to introduce himself.  She didn't look ready to be cheered up or even 
meet someone.
	"Excuse me?"  Metutu looked at her carefully.  "I'm Metutu."
	"Uzuri," she said.
	"I hear you're hunt mistrees."
	"Yes."
	Metutu crossed his feet nervously and began to squirm a little.  
"I may be wrong, but you seem awfully young to be hunt mistress."
	"Thanks."
	"You must be very good at it."
	"Thank you-uh--Metutu was it?"
	"Yes ma'am."
	"Are those stripes real?  I mean, do you paint your face, or is 
that natural?"
	"Natural," he said.  "Females have a little color, but not this 
much."
	"Oh.  That's very interesting."
	She laid down and began to groom her forearms.  In almost a state 
of shock, Metutu went over to Makedde.  "The lionesses will be gossiping 
about our affair for many moons."
	Makedde smiled indulgently.  "For a first contact, that was 
practically a torrid affair.  I mean, she even asked you a question!"
	"The quiet type, eh?"
	"She's had a bad hunt.  Besides, she does not warm up quickly to 
strangers.  She's just like that, so give her time."
	Metutu nodded.  "I think she's like a melon.  Dull color on the 
outside, but bright and fragrant on the inside.  Look in her eyes.  
There is so much going on that she does not let show."
	"Your perceptiveness will serve you well.  She is anything but 
cold, but Uzuri does not expose her feelings to just anyone.  Maybe 
someday you'll find out.  Her love is like a beetle that hides under a 
large rock.  You don't see it until you lift the stone, then it comes 
rushing out."
	"You sound like you have experience."
	Makedde took him to Yolanda, who was much more transparent.  The 
moment she saw Metutu coming, she blossomed into a warm smile.  "Who's 
your friend?"
	"This is Metutu.  He's been wanting to meet you all evening."
	Metutu broke into an embarassed smile.  "What a pretty cub!  Do 
you mind if I touch him?"
	"Her.  Ajenti."  Yolanda thought a moment.  "Sure, why not.  Be 
sure you support her under the head and back.  You don't look like the 
neck-carry type."
	Metutu picked up little Ajenti and hugged her up to his chest.  
"Oh gods, such a precious thing!  She will grow in beauty like her 
mother.  Isn't she beautiful, Asumini?"
	Yolanda purred.  When he reluctantly put down the small bundle, 
Yolanda touched his hand with her warm tongue.  "Welcome to the Pride 
Lands."
	Asumini smiled.  "Our child will also be beautiful, like its 
father."
	"I feel beautiful when I'm with you," Metutu said, stroking her 
cheek softly.  "You are beautiful enough for both of us.  And I 
think....oh my, the hour grows late!"
	She looked out at the moon.  "Yes, dear.  We don't want to wear 
out our welcome."
	Yolanda smiled coyly.  "If you two want to see some great scenery, 
there is a nice path to the cistern behind Pride Rock.  It's a quiet 
place where you can talk undisturbed."
	Metutu took Asumini by the hand and bidding farewell to his hosts, 
he led Asumini away to spend their wedding night under the silvery 
stars.  There, far from the prying eyes of night, their light went out 
into the world.

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