“Aiheu was the first of the living and the cause of all life. He had many spirit children, and he shared his love and knowledge with them. It was a happy time, but still unfulfilling for the lives of spirit children were of thought alone. And Aiheu sensed that his children were longing for something more.

“So Aiheu went to the world of Ma’at which at that time was completely dark and sterile. He put two lights in the heavens, the sun and moon. And the brightness of the sun caused the water to form clouds, and wherever the clouds rained on the dry earth, green plants grew. And so in time the world of Ma’at was changed from ugliness into beauty.

“And Aiheu summoned his spirit children to show them his work. The beauty of the land was the first thing they had ever seen, and they were very pleased. For a time, they explored the world, some preferring the skies, others the ground, others the trees, and others the waters. And yet they were still unfulfilled, for the sun did not warm them, the breeze did not cool them nor the waters wash them, and they could not feel the grass beneath their feet. And they asked Aiheu, ‘What does this land have to do with us? We are strangers here.’ So Aiheu moistened some soil with water, and with his hands shaped the first bodies. Some were fish, others birds, and others the animals that walked on land and climbed trees, each according to the domains they were created for. When he breathed into the bodies, they took on life and became dwelling places for spirit children. Because they were finally part of the world, they could feel the warm sun, the cool breeze, the waters and the grass. They had these and many other pleasures, but they were given a warning. The price of pleasure is often pain. And it was not long until they had all felt pain, yet they assured Aiheu that pleasure was worth the price. This was the first agreement, that pleasure is worth pain.”

Taka nudged his father’s leg. “Why did some spirits want to be birds, and some want to be fish? I was just born this way and I didn’t get to choose. Did they get to choose?”

“That’s a good question. Why do YOU think they chose the way they did?”

“I don’t know. I mean, who’d want to be a bird when you could be a lion?? They’re safe and their strong, and they’re so cool.”

“And they have to outrun dinner, and they get gored by impalas and they don’t know what it’s like to fly. Aiheu gave blessings to all his children.”

“Oh.”

“Are you happy being what you are?”

“Sure.”

“Why, if I may ask?”

“Because if I was anything else, I wouldn’t be your son.”

Ahadi cuddled him next to his heart with his broad, strong paw and purred deeply. “And I wouldn’t be your father, so we’re both glad.” He nudged Taka and smiled slyly, pointing at Mufasa. Unaware of his audience, Muffy kept glaring at the wildebeest herd as his father continued in a normal teaching voice:

“Lions have several blessings. They get to eat dirt and roll in elephant dung. And when they’re really lucky, they get to jump in the thorn bush and flop around until their hides are red with blood. ISN’T THAT SO, MUFFY??”

“Of course,” Mufasa said, looking around. “Everyone knows that.”

“You do that as often as you should, don’t you?”

“Uh, yes sir. Maybe I forget sometimes, but not very often.”

Taka began to giggle and roll on the ground. “Eat dirt and roll in the dung!”

Mufasa looked at his brother sharply. “Well, maybe I missed a little bit.”

Ahadi nodded with a wry smile and continued. “Now that we’re all listening, understand that those bodies of Ma’at were not permanent. Earth, water and air may only rest apart. When they are mixed, they become restless and strive to separate. That is why death and decay are part of the world, for the elements will eventually prevail. Aiheu knew this, so he took steps to prevent the world from becoming sterile. He went to the Lake of Mara and changed its waters into the first milk. And all animals were brought together to drink from it.

“Milk fertilizes animals the way rain fertilizes plants, for it makes soil, water and air content to mix for a time. And all those who drank milk obtained the gift to produce milk in their bodies. The milk of the male could awaken new life in his mate, and the milk of the female could sustain it. For no living thing except Aiheu can create life from the ground by breathing into it. This was the second agreement, that life should always continue.”

Mufasa rolled on his back and looked up at his rudimentary teats. “Gosh, I didn’t know we could give milk!”

“Further back, nit-wit,” Taka said with an amused smile. “Gods, sometimes you act so dumb! When you get married, you sit on your wife’s tail and she’ll have babies!”

“Taka!” Ahadi shouted with a frown.

Taka flattened out on the ground, glanced at his father’s stern face, then looked away and shuddered. Indeed he looked so miserable, Ahadi could not remain angry and he came and nuzzled him.

“Son, we’ll discuss it later. Some things you need to hear from your father, not your little friends.”

“You’re not mad at me?”

“No, son. Surprised maybe, but not mad. But don’t ever call Muffy a nit-wit. Sometimes he has a little trouble paying attention, but he’s bright and what’s more, he loves you very much.”

Mufasa glanced at Taka plaintively, then shyly looked away. In his own way, his feelings were as easily hurt as his brother’s, but he had different ways of showing it.

“Come here, son. Well, Muffy?”

Mufasa looked at Taka, then looked away, and crept to his father’s side. Ahadi nuzzled him. “I’m sure Taka is very sorry he said that.”

Taka looked down and very quietly, very shyly said, “I’m sorry. I shouldn’t have called you a nit-wit. Friends?”

Mufasa waited a while--he felt that Taka deserved to squirm for a moment.

“Well, son?” Ahadi nudged him and nodded slightly. “Do you accept his apology?”

“Yeah. I guess so.”

Ahadi smiled wryly and nudged him. “You guess so?”

“Okay.”

Taka hopped up and down. “Oh goodie! Does that mean I get a big wet smooch?”

“I’ll smooch YOU!” Mufasa shouted, charging. He tangled with Taka, wrestling with abandon and giggling.

“STOP!” Ahadi was livid. “Not up here! My gods, do you want to fall off and get killed??”

Mufasa looked back at his left foot. Two of his toes were actually over the edge, and trembling he crouched and slinked away from the sheer drop-off.

“Now then, let’s finish the lesson while I still have my nerve.” Ahadi looked off the promontory, cringed, and took in a deep breath, letting it out in a sigh.

“The world was very large, but it was not without limits. So Aiheu offered his children two paths. Either they could choose who may carry on the line, or they could all be treated equally and Aiheu would find another way to control them. And they all said, ‘Treat us equally,’ for no one wanted to be the one to live alone. So Aiheu chose some animals to be hunters and others to be hunted that they may keep the earth in balance. Thus arose all the peoples and their ways that carry on to this day. This was the third agreement, that a full life involves struggle.

“Aiheu separated them into two groups, and one group dwarfed the other. ‘To the greater group, I give the plants of the field and the fruits of the trees. But lest you strip the earth of all green things with your offspring, I give the lesser group a taste for blood. To them I give the eaters of plants.’

“Some of the plant eaters were upset and cried out to God that they should not all die. To this, Aiheu answered, ‘I offer you to the hunters, but they must catch you first. Be vigilant, wise, and careful, and you will not perish from the land I give you.’”

Ahadi looked at Taka and Mufasa. “What does this mean?”

“Me, me!” Taka chimed.

“Let your brother get this one.”