When Isha’s time had come, she had three cubs. Her son looked like the newborn Mabatu, and so she called him Habusu. Maybe he would meet a good lioness who would love him the way she loved her Baba and be a prisoner to her love. The daughters were named Minshasa and Jona after her favorite lionesses in star lore.
Rumors had circulated about the father of the cubs. While it was still uncertain, most of the lionesses would have bet their whiskers that she had mated with Mabatu before his mantlement. Some of her pride sisters filed by to see them, more out of curiosity than of joy. They looked for familiar features in their face. More than a couple stared at Habusu and commented on how familiar his face was. Significantly, Kako did not even show up.
While Isha was not a social outcast, there was tension and a feeling of disapproval in the faces that filed past her. They would say something pleasant only to go outside and gossip. And with Isha’s excellent hearing, there was no doubt she heard many hurtful things before the day was over.
Yolanda said, “She will be a devoted mother. She has SUCH a way with KIDS.”
Ajenti nuzzled her mother and laughed. “Talk about robbing the litter!”
Sarafina said in a quiet voice, “How did he get her in trouble? I mean, I didn’t think at his age they could...well, YOU know.”
“Carry through with it?” Ajenti said. “When those things aren’t on their mind, they wouldn’t think of trying. But when someone puts ideas in their head, you’d be surprised.”
Sarafina was shocked. “Are you saying she led him on?”
“I’m saying if those cubs were a reflection, Mabatu would be standing by the water hole. That’s all I’M saying.” Ajenti winked and walked away smugly.
Just as Isha was ready to cry with shame, her friend Uzuri showed up. Uzuri’s love for Isha was absolute and unconditional and in her eyes, there could be no taint to spoil the beauty of her cubs. Uzuri looked at each cub, sniffed them gently, and touched them with her tongue. “This male looks like Mabatu when he was that age,” she purred. Isha cringed, but she saw that there was no malice in her words. “He’s very handsome. Sometimes I worry about Baba; where he is, what he’s doing, and if he’s missing you. We must pray for him.”
Isha nuzzled her. “I love you, Uzuri.”
“Why? What did I do.”
“Nothing—and everything. Just because you’re you. You’re my truest friend in the world, and don’t think I don’t appreciate it, girl.” As Uzuri left, Isha brought the cubs to her warm belly and guided them to her milk. She rubbed over them with her paw tenderly as they nursed. “I don’t care what the others think. You are my children, and you are wonderful. You are Mabatu’s children. Our children.” She half closed her eyes. “My little Mabatu. Wherever you are, I hope you know how beautiful they are.”
Later, Taka himself came by. “Look at the little angels,” he cooed. “Aren’t they beautiful!”
“Mabatu’s children,” she said. “That’s what you came to find out, wasn’t it?”
“Mabatu,” he said softly. “I will go to my death grieving for him. He was my son, and he always will be.”
“Then why did you let him go?”
“I don’t have to tell you, but I will.” He sighed. “The seer told me he would meet an evil fate if he stayed here. I love Mabatu. I loved him enough to give him a small chance over no chance at all.” He sighed again. “Everyone I love suffers for it. Even my poor Lannie. Do you think I’m completely unaware? I may have many faults, but stupidity is not one of them.”
There was a truthful ring to his voice. Isha looked at the sadness that clouded his face as he recalled his friend.
He looked at the male cub. “What is his name?”
“Habusu.”
“Habusu, you are son of my son. You will be my heir, and the one true King. I am not a seer, but I predict that you will not be hated as I am hated. You have brought some measure of peace to my heart. That is not an easy thing to do.”
“You honor me,” Isha said, but she looked a little worried. “Please don’t tell the hyenas just yet.”
“Why not?”
“If their seer is so good, let her come tell you.”
He half laughed. “Yes. Let her. But aren’t you a little curious what the future holds for him?”
“Yes. That’s why I plan to be there when it happens. We all have to suffer thorns and bruises, and we all have to die, but isn’t it really better not knowing how and when?”
“Why Isha, you’re a philosopher.”
“All mothers are philosophers.”
Only one week earlier, Beesa had become a philosopher. Fortunately, she only had one cub to worry about feeding, a daughter named Lisani. Perhaps someday Lisani would grow to love Habusu. Perhaps Aiheu in his mercy will provide some future for them all. Perhaps....