Under the Stars

Characters


Mufasa	Nala	Simba	Zazu

(Shot of the savannah. The cubs walk behind Mufasa and Zazu.)

(Sternly) Zazu?

(Lands in front of Mufasa.) (Timidly) Yes, sire?

Take Nala home. I've got to teach my son a lesson.

(Shot of the cubs. Simba squats down in the grass as if to hide himself. Zazu flies back towards them.)

Come, Nala. Simba... (puts his wings on Simba's shoulders and sighs) good luck.

(Zazu and Nala leave.)

Simba!

(Simba slowly makes his way towards his father. He steps into a depression, and looking down, discovers it to be his father's pawprint, much larger than his own.)

(Closes his eyes and furrows his eyebrows, remaining silent for a moment. He then turns his head towards Simba.) Simba, I'm very disappointed in you.

(Quietly, sadly) I know.

You could have been killed! You deliberately disobeyed me. And what's worse - you put Nala in danger!

(Breathing heavily, almost crying) I was just trying to be brave like you.

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

But you're not scared of anything.

I was today.

You were?

Yes... (bends his head down to Simba's level) I thought I might lose you.

Oh. (Less tensely) I guess even kings get scared, huh?

(Slight grin) Mm-hmm.

But you know what?

(Whispers) What?

I think those hyenas were even scareder!

(Laughs gently.) 'Cause nobody messes with your dad. Come here, you. (Picks up Simba and gives him a noogie.)

Oh, no! No! Aagh! Errgh!

(Simba and Mufasa tussle playfully for a bit.)

Oh, come here... (as Mufasa runs away) Hah! Gotcha!

(Simba knocks Mufasa down. Simba ends up on his father's head.)

Dad?

Hmm?

We're pals, right?

(Laughs gently.) Right.

And we'll always be together, right?

(Sits up with Simba now on his shoulder. His expression is now serious.) Simba, let me tell you something that my father told me... Look at the stars (looks upwards). The great kings of the past look down on us from those stars.

(Awed) Really?

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