Once Upon a Timon - ENGLISH

Chapter 5: The jungle community

From the desert, the jungle looked just as Timon and Pumbaa had left it before they ran to Simba's aid some years ago. However, as they got closer, they both noticed the changes that the place had undergone since the last time they were there.

The first thing that caught their attention was the clear din of voices. If the meerkat colony was already numerous in their old cramped home, having more space could only mean that the number of members increased.

As soon as they set foot on the spot, a group of cubs pounced on them curiously, running from one side to the other and making Pumbaa fearful with every step he took. It took the intervention of Ma and Uncle Max to move the children and give the warthog room to move.

The second thing they noticed were the physical changes in the jungle. A good part of the vegetation bordering the road had been duly pruned to keep it at a level suitable for small mammals. From the branches closest to the ground hung several hammocks made of palm leaves, where some meerkats rested. Some of them, whose curiosity was greater than their laziness, turned to see them pass and greeted them with a nod or a wave of hands.

The last important change they noticed several meters further on, when they discovered that there were small groups of meerkats doing different types of activities in the surroundings. There were them sunbathing on palm loungers, doing gentle exercises to warm up their muscles a bit, and even a group that seemed to be practicing yoga.

The friends exchanged a look. Was that really their old home?

However, what almost convinced them to be in a different place was discovering what they had done around the main lake of the jungle, the one that was fed by the largest waterfall in the place. Around the water, Timon's compatriots had built a kind of village using the materials they had at hand. Meerkat homes were as diverse in size, color, and shape as the variety of insects they had once been able to find. Tunnels adapted to their new lifestyle, small caves and hollow logs beautifully decorated with snail painting, nests of leaves and lianas hanging from the trees.

Timon could hardly believe what he was seeing. It was like a utopia, the last glimpse of a dream moments before waking up.

Recognizing them, the meerkats near the lake forgot about their chores and came over to say hello. Somewhat suspiciously, Timon climbed down from his friend's back.

The crowd shoved toward him, but contrary to what Timon was used to, it was not to complain or jeer. The group picked him up and hoisted him above them, passing him from hand to hand, as they called out his name in chorus.

With some disbelief and some pride, Timon allowed himself to be led away by his companions. They let him down when he reached the center of the group, and soon everyone was peppering him with questions and comments of thanks, as well as Pumbaa, whom they had never seen before.

Shortly after Scar's death and Simba's taking of the crown, there was much work to be done in The Pridelands. Timon barely had time to participate in relocating his colony, and it was carried out by Ma, Uncle Max, and a couple of lionesses.

The group grew to the point of suffocation. When the newcomers were about to lose patience, the scandal ended. Just as suddenly as it had started. Silence slowly moved through the rows of meerkats until it became total.

Timon was smoothing his fur, dirty and disheveled from all the hustle and bustle, when he discovered the reason for the sudden calm. Kuba, now a meerkat whose body clearly reflected the signs of old age, with a wrinkled complexion, those watery and tired eyes, pale and delicate skin, and that hunched back, made his way through the crowd with a calm and unhurried step. He carried on his back the violet cape Timon had seen him in forever, and the wooden staff that represented his status among his kind. Though now it served him more as a prop as he walked.

To Timon's surprise, he did not come alone. Next to him was Tesma, much more mature than the last time he saw her, but it was clear that it was her. His heart skipped a beat with fear and excitement as he recognized her. She looked gorgeous.

He had dreaded this moment for several years. The very thought of it happening had robbed him of sleep the night before and had kept him anxious the whole trip. In his mind, he had calculated all the possibilities, imagined all the scenarios, and even worked out the conversations they would have in each possible outcome. And now that he finally had her in front of him it seemed as if all that had been removed from his head.

Once the royal family of meerkats reached Timon and Pumbaa, Kuba said in his rumbling voice:

"Welcome back, my children," he raised his hands to his sides, as if he were going to give them a hug with his thin and trembling limbs. "The colony and I welcome you with open arms and we thank you for bringing us here."

Kuba slightly nodded his head. His daughter did the same before speaking.

"It is an honor for us that you have accepted our invitation," Tesma said with a clear and strong voice, as if she wanted everyone to hear her. But her eyes remained fixed on Timon. "We hope you enjoy your stay here."

The entire colony remained silent, as if waiting for something. It was clear that neither Kuba or Tesma was going to speak more. But neither did the newcomers know what to do.

"It's a compliment that they came to greet us, isn't it, Timon?" Ma intervened.

With a nod, she discreetly motioned for her son to speak.

Timon swallowed hard.

"Yes... Yes! This... it's good to see you all again and... what you did in this place is..."

"Unbelievable," Pumbaa finished.

"Do you like it?" Kuba smiled. "Perhaps you will like to see it in its entirety. And it might interest you to know, Timon, that all of this was made possible by an old friend of yours."

"Basu?" he answered automatically, discreetly scanning the faces around him.

The leader nodded in response.

"Do not bother looking for him. He is not here," Kuba said. "But you will be able to see him soon. We are throwing a party tomorrow night in your honor, and we hope to see you both there."

"Oh, it will be a pleasure!" Pumbaa came forward.

"Good. Now, I hope you remember Tay. He will guide you and your friend to a place where you can rest from your journey. See you tomorrow night."

And without further ado, the old man turned around and retraced his steps. Before his daughter could even move a hair, something solid slammed into the back of Timon's head, sending him staggering. Looking back, he found a huge meerkat, with considerable muscles and a haughty smile.

"I didn't expect to see your hideous face again, Timon."

"Tai?" Timon ask.

The huge meerkat laughed and leaned back slightly.

"Yes! Who else did you think I was? You're still a bit of an idiot, you know?"

Timon snorted under his breath.

"Well... you look different."

"I know. A future heir has to look good," he put a paw on Timon's shoulder and pushed him without measuring his strength to force him to walk. "Come on, I don't have all day. And I advise you to think about what you are going to say to the colony. I don't understand why so much enthusiasm, but at least they work faster that way. Hope is good for the workers, and you give it to them. Maybe you're not so pathetic after all."

Timon frowned, but decided to return to a neutral face so as not to have any more problems. He just let himself be guided by his unpleasant companion. Pumbaa walked silently on the other side of him, observing the scene.

"Yes, what a surprise, right?" he laughed awkwardly. Being around Tay had never pleased him. "So what... what about you?"

"You will be surprised to hear what I have done in this time. Although that's obvious... everyone is surprised at what I do. But, since we have time to talk, I'll show you."

And without Timonhaving a chance to agree or refuse, Tay took him and Pumbaa to see the wondershe had participated in to build the village.