MAALUM
Chapter 7 - My Place In The Circle Of Life
The next morning, Rani returns to the Tree to rest from the night of work, switching places with Kion, who must start his morning patrol. Maalum accompanies Kion and meets the Lion Guard. They all look friendly and fun.
The Lion Guard takes a guided tour of Maalum, introducing him to the lands of the Tree Of Life. At the same time, the group tries to help the young hybrid find a place to live.
They arrive at the Marsh Forest and Maalum knows some nice animals, including Binga, who, once again, challenges Bunga, this time for a burping contest.
“Bunga. Let's go. We don't have time for that.” Calls Kion.
"Fine. Soon we'll finish the contest, Binga.”
"I can't wait to win... again."
The Marsh Forest is even welcoming and the animals that live there seem friendly, but there doesn't seem to be any place where Maalum can stay. So, they decide to continue the search.
They go to the Bamboo Woods, where Maalum meets Heng Heng and Kely and her lemurs. They seem to be friendly and Maalum is very fond of meeting them. However, this forest also doesn't have a good place to be the hybrid's home. So, they continue searching.
When visiting the Rocky Mountains, Maalum meets the mountain goats, Cek and Rama, also friendly animals. But the mountains are dangerous for an hybrid like Maalum. So, again, it's a place that doesn't fit him.
They walk again.
“So, Maalum? Do you like these lands?” Asks Kion.
"Yeah." Maalum responds in a sad tone.
"What do you have, little friend?" Beshte asks in his natural kindness.
"I really love this place and the animals are all very friendly, but..."
"But...?" Fuli insists.
“I think I better go look for another land. The Tree Of Life is no place for me.” Maalum lowers his head sadly.
"Maalum." Kion nuzzles Maalum to comfort him. "Don't be discouraged. I'm sure there is a perfect place here for you.”
"Sure!" Fuli also tries to cheer him up. "And we are all here to help you, Maalum."
Maalum smiles at the group, feeling more confident. “Asante. Thank you, friends. You're amazing."
The group continues walking, until reaching the Desert Plains. It's a quiet and very spacious place, but Maalum finds it a little lonely. So, they continue searching.
The Guard and Maalum arrive at the Winter Woods, where they find Varya and her cubs. The Guard talks to Varya, trying to see if she can share her home with Maalum.
"I'm really sorry, your majesty." Varya responds to Kion. "But you know that it's impossible to share our home with another animal." Maalum is discouraged to hear this.
"But why?!" Bunga asks.
"You know how difficult it was to find a home for me and my cubs when we arrived at the Tree Of Life."
"Yeah. It was.” Kion remembers what Rani told him about Varya. The king looks at the hybrid, which remains discouraged. "Lion Guard. Let's keep going."
Further on, they reach Tundra, where they meet Tangaagim. The polar bear is so friendly that he immediately offers to share his home with Maalum. However, Tundra is too cold for Maalum. He would never be able to live there. Again, it's not the right home for a jackal-lion hybrid.
After having gone through all the places on the Tree Of Life, the Lion Guard says goodbye to Maalum, sorry for not being able to help him. Anga, Ono, Bunga, Beshte and Fuli leave, leaving Maalum with Kion.
"Don't worry, Maalum." Kion tries to comfort Maalum. "We will find a solution."
"It's not worth it, Kion." Maalum has never felt so low. “I don't belong here. In fact, I don't think I belong anywhere.”
"Don't say that, Maalum."
"It's true. I really thought it was here. I thought the Tree Of Life would be my place. I thought I had finally found my place in the circle of life, but I was wrong. My place in the circle of life is to walk around without a home.”
"Maalum..." Kion is sad to see his new friend so discouraged.
"Thanks for trying to help me, but... I better go." Maalum starts walking towards the passage.
“Maalum. Stay. We can help you.”
“No one can help me, Kion. Bye."
Sadly, Kion watches Maalum leave, until he has an idea and starts running towards the Tree.
Some time later, Maalum arrives at the passage and stops, looking back, observing the Tree Of Life one last time. With a sigh, he turns his face away from those lands. Suddenly, Maalum hears two voices calling out to him. “Maalum! Wait!" He looks back and sees the king and the queen running towards him.
“Kion. Rani. I won't change my mind.”
“Please, Maalum. Listen what we have to tell you.” Asks the king.
“Maalum. Kion was talking to me and we made a decision.” Explains the queen.
"A decision?!" Maalum is curious.
“Maalum. We found the right place for you to live.” Kion smiles.
"Really?! Where?!" Maalum is thrilled.
"With us, on the Tree." Rani responds with a smile, leaving the hybrid gaping.
"What?! But I can't. Why?!"
“Maalum. It's obvious that your intentions are good.” Kion says. “Furthermore, our duty as king and queen of the Tree Of Life is to protect and help all the animals in need. And you are one of those animals.”
"But I don't belong here."
"Of course you belong here." Rani counters. “You're special, Maalum. And we want to help you. You can live with us on the Tree Of Life and you can even help us on patrols, if you want.”
For a few seconds, Maalum just stands looking at them with mixed emotions, not knowing how to react.
“So, Maalum? You won't say anything?" Kion smiles.
"Thank you, thank you, thank you, thank you!" An explosion of joy. Maalum runs to nuzzle the king and the queen in thanksgiving. "You're amazing!" Kion and Rani nuzzle him back.
Suddenly, they hear a scream. "Help!"
"It looks Astuto." Rani recognizes the voice.
"Let's go." Kion starts running with Rani.
"Hey! I want to help you!” Maalum runs after them.
Astuto is hanging from the branch of a tree. The Night Pride and the Lion Guard are already there, when Kion and Rani arrive there with Maalum.
"Help me!" Astuto continues screaming.
"Don't move, Astuto." Asks Beshte.
"I'm going up there!" Bunga climbs the tree and tries to pull the fox, but he fails. He doesn't have enough strength to pull her. "Sorry. I can't."
“It's okay, Bunga. We'll think of something.” Kion and Rani start discussing ideas, while the fox starts sliping.
"Please! Help me!" Astuto continues screaming.
"Oh no!" Everyone is worried.
Astuto can't take it anymore and slips off the branch. Upon seeing this happen, Maalum automatically places himself under her, causing her to fall on his back. "I caught you."
"Thanks." She thanks him, jumping to the floor now.
“Wow, Maalum. Good job." Praises Baliyo.
"Thank you. I don't even know how I did this. I just saw her in danger and wanted to help.”
Kion and Rani look at each other with a curious but happy look.
"How did you get there, little friend?" Beshte asks Astuto.
"I saw a fruit that looked delicious on that tree and I wanted to go and get it to give it to my family, but... I should've known that it is not a good idea to climb trees."
"Then see if you don't do that again, okay?" Suggests the queen.
“Okay, your majesty. I promise."
“Lion Guard. It's almost night.” Kion says. "I think we all deserve to rest, after the busy day we had."
“Night Pride. Get ready for our patrol.” Tells Rani. "I'll meet you close to the passage."
They leave and Maalum follows king and the queen to the Tree Of Life, their new home. Once inside the Tree, Kion asks: “Maalum. Do you like to help other animals?”
"Well..." Maalum thinks for a while. He never liked the jackal style, cheating and attacking innocent animals irritated him. And he tried to stop Kovu from participating in Zira's plan for revenge. He cares about everyone's well-being, regardless of how he feels. Perhaps this happens because Maalum wants others to have a better life than the one he has had. "I just want everyone to be safe."
Kion and Rani smile at each other and nod, agreeing to something.
“Maalum. You showed that you respect the circle of life and that you are always ready to help those in need.” Kion approaches Maalum, who's watching him with some confusion in his eyes. "Your kindness and your courage make you a special animal."
"W-What are you trying to tell me?!" Maalum remains confused.
“Maalum. Rani and I want you to join us to help us protect the Tree Of Life and all its inhabitants.”
"What?!"
Kion touches the young hybrid's left shoulder with his paw. A bright light appears, giving rise to the mark of the Tree Of Life. Maalum admires his new mark and then he looks seriously at the king and the queen. Kion and Rani just show him a big smile. Without saying anything, Maalum runs to nuzzle them tenderly. "Thank you. Thank you very much." The three keep nuzzling each other happily.