Zoka in The Lion King (Anthro Version).

Simba and Mufasa's Conversation.

{Camera switch to out on the savannah. The cubs are still walking in a shamed manner behind Mufasa. Zazu is flying between.}

Mufasa: "{Still stern} Zazu?"

Zazu: "{Flying forward and lighting in front of Mufasa, his trepidation showing} Yes, sire?"

Mufasa: "{Stern} Take Nala home. I've got to teach my son a lesson."

{The camera views the cubs. Simba crouches lower in the grass as if to hide. Zazu flies back to the cubs.}

Zazu: "Come, Nala. Simba... {puts his wings on Simba's shoulders, gives a heavy sigh, and then a reassuring pat} Good luck."

{Zazu and Nala leave. The camera view is of Simba in the foreground with Mufasa facing away from the camera in the background.}

Mufasa: "{Calling, still very stern, not looking at Simba} Simba! {The word reverberates in the night air.}"

{Simba slowly turns and walks towards his father. The camera follows him forward. Ominous yet sad music. Simba steps into a depression. Looking down he sees that his forepaw fits inside just the palmprint of his father's paw. A very tense moment for Simba. It comes across to the audience that his father could easily do much, much more than discipline Simba. [It also comes across that Simba has some rather big shoes to fill, so to speak, and is only now realizing his true position. -BT] Simba is harshly reminded of how small and young he is compared to his father. He looks up and, quite courageously, continues to come forward.}

{Mufasa thinks silently for a few moments, not looking at his son. Then, finally, he turns to him.}

Mufasa: "Simba, I'm very disappointed in you."

Simba: "{Very quietly and sadly} I know."

Mufasa: "{Continuing} You could have been killed. You deliberately disobeyed me. And what's worse, you put Nala in danger! Not to mention the death of Zoka!"

Simba: "{Bordering on crying, voice cracks} I was just trying to be brave like you."

Mufasa: "I'm only brave when I have to be. Simba... being brave doesn't mean you go looking for trouble."

Simba: "But you're not scared of anything."

Mufasa: "I was today."

Simba: "{Disbelieving} You were?"

Mufasa: "Yes... {bends down close to Simba} I thought I might lose you."

Simba: "Oh. {Lightening slightly} I guess even kings get scared, huh?"

Mufasa: "Mm-hmm."

Simba: "{Whispering conspiratorially} But you know what?"

Mufasa: "{Whispering back} What?"

Simba: "I think those hyenas were even scareder."

Mufasa: "{Gentle laugh} 'Cause nobody messes with your dad. Come here, you."

{Mufasa has bent down. He picks Simba up and starts giving him a noogie.}

Simba: "Oh no, no... Aaagh! Errrggh!"

{Music rises as Simba and Mufasa tussle playfully for a brief while.}

Simba: "Oh, come here... {as Mufasa runs away} Hah! Gotcha!"

{They end up with Mufasa laid down and Simba on his head}

Simba: "Dad?"

Mufasa: "Hmm?"

Simba: "We're pals, right?"

Mufasa: "{Gentle laugh} Right."

Simba: "And we'll always be together, right?"

Mufasa: "{Sitting up, Simba now on his shoulder} Simba... Let me tell you something that my father told me... Look at the stars. The great kings of the past look down on us from those stars."

Simba: "{Awed} Really?"

Mufasa: "Yes... So whenever you feel alone, just remember that those kings will always be there to guide you ... And so will I."