The Lion King Page #4

PRIDE ROCK - VISTA SHOTS

Mufasa and Simba are dots on the horizon. They look out at the land in harmony. Antelope leap and move along.

WITH SIMBA AND MUFASA

Simba is amazed and impressed by all that he sees around him.

MUFASA (V.O.)

Everything you see exists together in a delicate balance. As king you need to understand that balance and respect all the creatures -- from the crawling ant, to the leaping antelope.

SIMBA:

But, Dad, don't we eat the antelope?

MUFASA:

Yes, Simba. But let me explain.

MUFASA:

then:

When we die, our bodies become the grass, and the antelope eat the grass. And so we're all connected in the great Circle of Life.

Simba considers this. Zazu flaps in and lands on a nearby rock.

SEQ. 3.1 (POUNCING)

ZAZU:

Good morning, Sire!

MUFASA:

Good morning, Zazu.

ZAZU:

Checking in with the morning report.

MUFASA:

Fire away!

Mufasa nods to Zazu to begin. Simba couldn't care less; he eyes a passing butterfly and lopes after it.

ZAZU:

The buzz from the bees is that, well -- the leopards are in a bit of a spot --

Simba pounces toward the butterfly and misses. Mufasa notices, but Zazu drones on.

MUFASA:

to Zazu

Oh, really?

ZAZU (O.S.)

The baboons are going ape. Of course.

Mufasa notices Simba's leap for the insect and miss.

MUFASA:

whispering

What are you doing, son?

SIMBA:

Pouncing.

MUFASA:

Let an old pro show you how it's done.

ZAZU (O.S.)

The tick birds were picking on the elephants. I told the elephants to forget it, but they can't.

MUFASA:

Zazu, would you turn around?

ZAZU:

turning around

Yes, Sire.

pressing on

The cheetahs are hard up, but as I always say --

MUFASA:

whispering, to Simba

Stay low to the ground.

ZAZU:

-- Cheetahs never prosper.

SIMBA:

to himself

Okay, stay low to the ground. Right, yeah.

ZAZU:

Uh -- What's going on?

MUFASA:

A pouncing lesson.

ZAZU:

auto pilot

Oh. Very good. Pouncing!

realizing

Pouncing? Oh, no, Sire. You can't be serious!

Mufasa gestures to Zazu to turn back around. While Zazu prattles on, Mufasa instructs his son:

ZAZU:

grumbling

This is so humiliating.

MUFASA:

whispering to Simba

Try not to make a sound.

Simba makes his way stealthily toward Zazu.

ZAZU:

What are you telling him, Mufasa? Mufasa? -- Simba?

Simba flies through the air and hits his target.

ZAZU:

Aaaaaakkk!

Mufasa laughs. Zazu dusts himself off.

MUFASA:

Ha-ha-ha That's very good!

A HOLE pops up from a hole in the ground.

MOLE:

Zazu!

ZAZU:

Yes?

MOLE:

News from the underground!

He whispers "BZZZ-BZZZ-BZZZ" in Zazu's ear.

MUFASA:

to Simba

Now next time --

ZAZU:

to Mufasa!

Sire, Hyenas! In the Pride lands!

MUFASA:

exiting

Zazu, take Simba home.

SIMBA:

Aw, Dad, can't I come?

MUFASA:

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