SIDE 1

MUFASA

(looks out over the Pridelands)

Look, Simba: Everything the light touches is our kingdom.

YOUNG SIMBA

Wow...

MUFASA

A king s time as ruler rises and falls like the sun. One day, Simba, the sun will set on my time here and will rise with you as the new king.

YOUNG SIMBA

And this ll all be mine?

MUFASA

Everything

YOUNG SIMBA

(in awe)

Everything the light touches...

(looks off in the distance)

What about that shadowy place way out there?

MUFASA

That s beyond our borders. You must never go there, Simba.

YOUNG SIMBA

But I thought a king can do whatever he wants.

MUFASA

Well, there s a lot more to being a king than getting your way all the time.

YOUNG SIMBA

(pointing in the distance)

Dad, what are those birds over there?

MUFASA

They re buzzards.

YOUNG SIMBA

They re scary. Why don t you chase  em away?

MUFASA

I don t have to. They re doing what they re supposed to do. You see, Simba, everything exists in a delicate balance. As king, you need to understand that balance and respect all creatures  from the crawling ant to the leaping antelope.

YOUNG SIMBA

But Dad, don t we eat the antelope?

MUFASA

Yes, but when we die, our bodies become the grass, and the antelope eat the grass. Everything is connected in the great circle of life.

SIDE 2

(SCAR lounges in the shade. YOUNG SIMBA enters.)

 

YOUNG SIMBA

Hey, Uncle Scar! Guess what? I'm gonna be king of Pride Rock!

SCAR

Oh, goodie. Well, forgive me for not leaping for joy. Bad back, you know.

YOUNG SIMBA

My dad just showed me the whole kingdom! And I'm gonna rule it all!

SCAR

(scheming)

Really? He didn't show you what's beyond that rise at the northern border, did he?

YOUNG SIMBA

Well, no. He said I can't go there.

SCAR

And he's absolutely right! It's far too dangerous. Only the bravest of lions go there.

YOUNG SIMBA

Well, I'm brave. What's out there?

SCAR

I'm sorry, Simba... I just can't tell you.

YOUNG SIMBA

Why not?

SCAR

An elephant graveyard is no place for a young prince.

YOUNG SIMBA

An elephant what?

SCAR

Oops.

YOUNG SIMBA

Whoa!

SCAR

Oh dear, I've said too much. Well, I suppose you'd have found out sooner or later - you being so clever and all. Just promise me you'll never visit that dreadful place.

YOUNG SIMBA

No problem, Uncle Scar.

SCAR

There's a good lad. You run along now and have fun. And remember: It's our little secret.

SIDE 3

 

ZAZU

Step lively! The sooner we get to the waterhole, the sooner we can leave!

(SIMBA and NALA whisper conspiratorially.)

YOUNG NALA

So where're we really goin'?

YOUNG SIMBA

An elephant graveyard.

YOUNG NALA

(loudly)

Wow!

YOUNG SIMBA

Shhhh! Zazu...

YOUNG NALA

Right. So how're we gonna ditch the dodo?

(YOUNG SIMBA and YOUNG NALA huddle. ZAZU, thrilled, flies to them.)

ZAZU

Oh, just look! Little seeds of romance blossoming in the savanna! And one day you two will be married!

YOUNG SIMBA, YOUNG NALA

Yuck! Eewwww!

YOUNG SIMBA

I can't marry her. She's my friend.

YOUNG NALA

Yeah. It'd be too weird.

ZAZU

Well, sorry to burst your bubble, but you two turtle doves have no choice. It's a tradition going back generations.

YOUNG SIMBA

Well, when I'm king, that'll be the first thing to go.

ZAZU

Not as long as I'm around.

YOUNG SIMBA

In that case, you're fired.

ZAZU

Nice try. But only the king can do that.

YOUNG NALA

Well, he is the future king.

YOUNG SIMBA

Yeah! So you have to do what I tell you!

ZAZU

Not yet , I don't! And with an attitude like that, I'm afraid you will be a pretty pathetic king, indeed!

YOUNG SIMBA

Not the way I see it!