In a recent post I asked why Simba didn't recognize Rafiki when he showed up 
later in the movie.  I've come to the conclusion that he is just a forgetful 
lion.  Even Mufasa's ghost chastized him for being forgetful "You have 
forgotten me".

Yeesh.  Forgetting the tribal shaman is one thing, forgetting your own father 
is another thing again.  I got to thinking; suppose Simba really WAS that 
forgetful.  I imagine some of the dialogue from the movie may have gone 
something like this...

(based on the script entered by Phil Pollard)

Simba:  Isn't this a great place?

Nala:   Is is beautiful.  But I don't understand something.  You've been
        alive all this time.  Why didn't you come back to Pride Rock?

Simba:  Why didn't I come back where?

Nala:   Pride Rock -- your cubhood home.

Simba:  Oh ya.  Well I guess I just needed to get out on my own.  Live
        my own life.  And I did.  And it's great!

Nala:   We've really needed you at home.

Simba:  (quiet) No one needs me.  At least, I don't THINK they do.

Nala:   Yes we do!  You're the king.

Simba:  Lana...

Nala:   Nala.

Simba:  Right.  Right.  Nala, we've been through this, er, haven't we?
        I'm not the king, Scab is.

Nala:   You mean "Scar" is.

Simba:  That's what I said -- didn't I?

Nala:   Simba, he let the hyenas take over the Pride Lands.

Simba:  What?

Nala:   You know, the Pride Lands.  It's where you grew up.

Simba:  Ya ya, I caught that part.  What's this about hyenas?

Nala:   Everything's destroyed.  There's no food, no water.  Simba, if
        you don't do something soon everyone will starve.

Simba:  I can't go back.

Nala:   (louder) Why?

Simba:  You wouldn't understand.

Nala:   What wouldn't I understand?

Simba:  (hastily) No, no, no.  It doesn't matter.  Hakuna... something
        or other.

Nala:   (perplexed) What?

Simba:  Happy Hanukkah... or something like that.  It's something that I
        learned somewhere.  Look, sometimes bad things happen--

Nala:   Simba!

Simba:  (continuing, irritated) -- and there's nothing you can do about
        it!  So why worry?

(Simba starts away.)

Nala:   (following) Because it's your responsibility.

Simba:  Well what about you?  You left.

Nala:   I left to find help, and I found you!  Don't you understand?
        You're our only hope.

Simba:  Hope for what?

Nala:   (patience wearing a bit thin, prompting) Pride Lands... Hyenas...

Simba:  Oh.  Sorry.

Nala:   What's happened to you?  You're not the Simba I remember.

Simba:  And you're not the SISTER I remember.

Nala:   (aback) Simba, you don't HAVE a sister.  I'm Nala, your best friend!

Simba:  (looks directly at camera for a second as a couple strains of
        CYFtLT play) Phew!  (continues) You're right; I'm NOT the Simba
        you remember.  I'm not even sure if I'm the Simba that _I_
        remember.  Now are you satisfied?

Nala:   No, just disappointed.

Simba:  You know, you're starting to sound like... (waves a paw
        searchingly)

Nala:   Your father?

Simba:  What about my father.

Nala:   I'm starting to sound like your father?

Simba:  Now that you mention it, yes you are.  (Starts walking away
        again)

Nala:   Good.  At least one of us does.

Simba:  (obviously stung by her words) Listen!  You think you can just
        show up here and tell me how to live my life?  You don't even
        know what I've been through.

Nala:   (exasperated) You probably don't either.  Why don't we go sit
        down over a wildebeest and talk about it?

Simba:  Forget it!  (mutters) I know _I_ have...

Nala:   Fine!

(Simba exits, scene closes on Nala looking thoroughly frustrated)