A lion cub was born a long time ago in the middle of a golden savanna where the soil sparkled in the sun and the grass moved like music in the wind. Simba’s name meant “king” in Swahili, and from the time he opened his eyes, he was meant to be king of the Pride Lands.
Mufasa, Simba’s father, was a powerful lion with a voice that sounded like thunder but was warm. He didn’t control the kingdom with fear; he ruled it with respect, kindness, and great wisdom. The animals bowed before him because they wanted to, not because they had to. The Circle of Life thrived under his leadership. Every living thing, from the smallest ant to the biggest giraffe, had its own home.
Mufasa became Simba’s guide, guardian, and hero as he became older. He would take Simba to the top of Pride Rock, a huge bluff that looked out over the whole kingdom, and declare, “Our kingdom is everything the light touches.” It will be yours one day.
The thought made Simba’s heart accelerate. “Even the dark place?” he once enquired.
Mufasa said, “That’s outside of our borders.” “You can never go there, Simba.”
“But why not?”
“Being a king doesn’t mean you can do whatever you want.” It’s about knowing how to find the right balance. About having respect for all life things. “Even when they’re small or hard to find.”
Simba listened, but he didn’t always get it. He was only a cub, so he was always moving, playing, and asking questions.
Problems in the Dark
But not everyone in the Pride Lands was happy about Simba’s birth.
Scar, Mufasa’s younger brother, was hiding in the shadows of the savanna. Scar was thin and smart, and he had eyes full of jealousy and a crooked smile. He dreamed of being king of Pride Rock. He thought he should be king, no matter what the Circle of Life or Mufasa’s rule brought him.
When Simba came to see him, Scar hid his anger under a charming smile. He purred, “A king’s life is full of adventure.” “You can go anywhere you want.” Even areas your dad says you can’t go.
Simba’s ears perked up. “Even the graveyard for elephants?”
Scar grinned. “You didn’t hear it from me.”
A Trap You Can’t See
Simba got his best buddy Nala to sneak away with him because he was brave and liked to cause trouble. They ran and jumped over zebras and wildebeests, laughing all the way, until they got to the elephant graveyard, which was full of bones and shadows.
Danger found them not long after they left.
Three hyenas came out of the dark. They were hungry, smart, and devoted to Scar. The cubs sprinted with their hearts racing. It sounded like they were going to be caught when a loud roar filled the air. Mufasa came in a whirlwind of dust and rage, dispersing the hyenas with a flash of his claws and a look that burned.
He didn’t yell at Simba immediately away. He took him under the stars instead.
Mufasa said, “Look up.” “The great kings of the past look down on us from those stars.” I will too, sometime.
Simba snuggled up close. “Will you always be there for me?”
“Yes,” Mufasa muttered. “Always.”
Guilt and Loss
Scar’s jealousy grew. He made plans for something harsh and final.
One day, he took Simba into a gorge and told him there would be a surprise. Then, with a quiet order, he sent a stampede of wildebeests rushing down from the cliffs above.
The ground shook. The air was full of dust. Mufasa came when Simba called for rescue.
Mufasa discovered his son and threw him to safety through the storm and tumult. But Mufasa stumbled as he saved Simba.
He held on to the edge of the precipice and yelled for Scar.
“Brother, please help me!”
But Scar didn’t help.
He leaned closer and said softly, “Long live the king.”
And he let go.
Mufasa went down.
Simba raced to his father’s side, pushed him, whispered, and begged. But Mufasa lay quiet, his big paws not moving. The sky looked like it was becoming darker.
Scar came out, pretending to be sorrowful. He hissed, “What have you done?” “You killed him.” Go, Simba. “Run away and never come back.”
A New Life Starts
Simba fled through thorn bushes, across rivers, and a long way from home. He fell on the ground in the bush, tired and heartbroken.
Timon, a funny meerkat, and Pumbaa, a kind warthog, found him there.
Timon remarked, “Looks like we found a little lion with a lot on his mind.”
“Should we keep him?” Pumbaa asked.
“Why not?”
They took him in and taught him to let go of the past. They chanted, “Hakuna Matata.” “It means no worries!”
Simba laughed for the first time in days. He grew up with them and became a powerful young lion with a smile that came easily, but he never talked about his past. He put it far down in his heart.
But the past never really went away, even when they laughed.
The Call to Come Back
One day, Simba ran after butterflies into a clearing and spotted Nala.
She had become a strong and graceful lioness. Her eyes filled with hope and sadness when she spotted Simba.
“Simba… “You’re alive!”
Nala told him what Scar’s rule was. How the Pride Lands had dried up, the herds had disappeared, and the lions were hungry. “We need you,” she said. “Come back.”
But Simba turned his back.
“I can’t.” “I’m not the same person I used to be.”
A weird voice came from the trees that night as the moon rose and memories came back. A wise old monkey named Rafiki came up and laughed softly.
“Come with me,” Rafiki urged. “Your father is alive.”
Simba, confused, followed him to a calm pool. He could only see his own reflection in the water.
Then the wind moved.
The clouds moved.
And the voice he had been waiting to hear resonated across the stars:
“Simba.”
A big lion made of light and remembrance arrived in the sky.
Mufasa’s voice replied, “You have forgotten who you are.” “You are more than what you have become.” You have to find your place in the Circle of Life.
Simba’s eyes were full of tears.
“I’m sorry, Dad.”
“Don’t forget who you are.”
The Lion King is back.
Simba dashed through the night with stars above him and bravery in his heart. Nala rushed next to him, and the jungle disappeared behind them.
When they got to the Pride Lands, everything was grey and dry. Scar’s rule has sucked the life out of the countryside.
Simba mounted Pride Rock and faced Scar. His scream echoed through the valley.
The lions came together. The hyenas growled.
Scar told one last untruth. “Your king ran away.” He let Mufasa die.
But Simba was strong. “I saw the truth. And I know who I am.
Simba fought Scar in a storm and fire. The sky was lit up by flames. The lightning struck.
At last, Scar collapsed. The hyenas turned away because they were tired of his lies.
The rain came down hard and cleaned the area.
Simba moved forward.
The clouds moved apart.
As the sun came up, he ascended to the top of Pride Rock and let out a loud shout.
The Life Cycle
The Pride Lands came back to life. Green came back. The rivers flowed. The animals came back. Hope grew.
Simba was a brave and smart king, and Nala was his queen. He paid attention. He kept safe. He loved.
And one day, a young cub was born. Rafiki held the small lion high above the valley, and all the animals bowed.
The Circle of Life went on.
A Last Whisper
So keep this in mind, little one…
You might forget who you are one day, just like Simba.
You could want to run away from your history or not know where you fit in.
But you have a spark of greatness inside you, the courage to go back, and the strength to lead with love.
The stars above are where the people who love you talk to you.
And they will constantly whisper:
“Don’t forget who you are.”
The end.
