THE LION KING/ The book of the movie 1994

Under the stars

{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!

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.