Follow the Leader by Page McBrier

Author:Page McBrier [McBrier, Page]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Tags: Fiction, General, Juvenile Fiction, Media Tie-In, Disney
ISBN: 9780717283521
Amazon: 0717283526
Publisher: Grolier Books
Published: 1994-04-15T05:00:00+00:00

Chapter 6

“Where is your leader?” said Rafiki.

“You mean your cousin Jelani?” said a young baboon leaning against a tree. He laughed scornfully. “He'd just as soon let us die.”

Rafiki stood up tall. “Take me to him.” he said. “Take me to him now.”

Dalila staggered to her feet. Her baby clung to her belly. “There, there,” she said to the baby. “Hang on tight. We’re going to find Jelani.” She took off slowly on all fours with her baby swinging beneath her.

Simba and Rafiki walked beside her. They saw more baboons lying under leafless bushes or beside the path. They looked thin and tired.

“Tell me about Jelani,” said Rafiki to Dalila. “How long has he been the leader?”

“A long time,” she said. “Ever since Khalfani was killed by a leopard.”

“Khalfani was a wise leader,” Rafiki said.

“Indeed he was,” said Dalila.

A shrill cry filled the air. “Rafiki! Is it really you?” An old baboon came limping forward.

Rafiki strained his eyes.

The baboon came up and grasped Rafiki‘s hands. Her coat looked dull and shaggy. Nevertheless, she gazed at Rafiki and gave him a toothless grin. “Don't you know me anymore, Rafiki?”

A smile spread across Rafiki's face. “Karibu!” he said. He turned to Simba. “This is my cousin Karibu. We played together when we were young. Karibu could hunt bird's eggs better than anyone in the troop. Karibu, this is Simba, the Lion King.”

“Pleased to meet you,” said Simba. “Tell us what has happened here.”

“Our water supply has nearly dried up,” Karibu said. “The other animals left long ago. There's nothing more to eat.”

“But why hasn't Jelani found you a new dwelling place?” asked Rafiki.

“My nephew Jelani is a lazy leader, and he only cares about himself,” Dalila cried.

Simba and Rafiki glanced around. How could anyone be that selfish?

“We’re on our way to find Jelani,” Rafiki told Karibu. “Have you seen him?”

Karibu pointed. “He's lying under that tree,” she said.

Rafiki stalked toward the tree. Simba, Karibu, and Dalila followed behind.

A big baboon lay resting against the tree trunk. Several young baboons played in the dust beside him.

Rafiki stopped in front of the baboon. He looked young and strong. Simba and the others stood back to watch.

The baboon's eyes were dosed. “Jelani?” asked Rafiki in a loud voice.

The baboon opened his eyes. “Yeah. What about it?”

“I am Rafiki, your third cousin once removed. Grass Walls is my homeland.”

“Welcome home, cuz,” said Jelani. He yawned and dosed his eyes again.

“It's not a good welcome,” said Rafiki. His voice trembled. “Since I was last here, much has changed. My people are no longer happy or well fed. The water is gone. The other animals have left.”

Jelani shrugged. “Things happen,” he said.

Rafiki pounded his walking stick on the ground. “Why haven't you taken the troop to another dwelling place?”

Jelani opened one eye. “'Cause I don't feel like it, okay?”

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