(INTERNET:TLK-Lnwoca.ohio.gov)d Okay, speculation time again folks. How much power did Zazu wield? One would think that being the king's "eyes and ears" on the kingdom would give one a certain amount of sway. I got the impression that the "morning report" Zazu was relaying to Mufasa - up until Simba flattened him anyway - was part of a daily ritual. If Mufasa's primary source of information about the workings of the kingdom came to him filtered through the hornbill then it would give Zazu some measure of power - emphasize this, de-emphasize that, neglect to mention something else... Think about it: there had to be SOMETHING in it for the bird to compensate for playing "cubsitter to the royal brats". Zazu seemed to be the primary sitter throughout the movie - I can think of four occasions in the movie when he got called upon to help with the cubs: firstly when he "volunteered" to help with Simba's pouncing lesson, secondly when Simba was left in his care so that Mufasa could chase hyenas, thirdly when Sarabi sent him out to keep an eye on the two cubs, and lastly when Mufasa left Nala in his care so that he could take Simba off and "teach him a lesson". Maybe it's just me, but I think I see a pattern here :-) Of course cubsitting lions during their formative age has its advantages. I could just picture the scenario... Simba: Dad, why do we have a bird for a major-domo? Mufasa: Well, son, it's a royal tradition going back generations. EVERY king has had a hornbill for an advisor. Simba: Really? Wow! Who told you that? Mufasa: Zazu told me about it when I was your age... Anyway, just my odd musings for the afternoon. ---------------------------------------------------- djb - scribe: First Church of Simba "We don't answer prayers, but we sometimes answer email."