Several months ago my mom gave Parker "The Lion King" Broadway musical cd. Since that time The Lion King and its array of characters has woven its way into the fabric of our lives. We sleep, eat, and breathe The Lion King. I find myself lying in bed seeking sleep while "The Morning Report" dances through my mind. Hakuna Matata is a regularly used phrase around here and Parker now refers to Mark, Reid, Bodi and me as his Pride. Simba, Mufasa, Scar and the whole gang are characters in the play that is our lives.
Beyond our pleasure and entertainment The Lion King has prompted hours of interesting conversation and questions that range from marriage, death, and puberty to monarchy, ecological consumers, and of course Africa and every animal that lives on the continent. It's also encouraged Parker's art. We have a myriad of original pieces of art of Simba and his buddies.
To give you a slice of some of the questions... "Mommy, since hyenas are scavengers, if a hyena died would the other hyenas eat it?" I've had to educate myself on the ecological consumerism of EVERY LIVING THING! Carnivore, herbivore, and omnivore are commonly used words in our house. And it continues, "Mommy, why couldn't Scar be king? I'm now an expert on the line of succession to the throne; "the heir and the spare." And more, "Mommy, why are Timone and Pumba sad when Nala and Simba are singing, "Can you feel the love?" This prompted several conversations about having "feelings" for someone and "coming of age," which of course lead to marriage talks (about Parker and Eadan of course), hormones, body hair - "Yes Parker you will be as hairy as Daddy one day, and yes your voice will change, and yes, you will be taller than me, and I'll have to look up to scold you" - and it still goes on and on...
"Mommy, why is there only one lion and lots of lionesses?" My response to this is, "Look Parker, a Kookaburra!" DIVERT! Don't think he's ready to hear; "Well Parker, the lion is a big ole arrogant ass who lays around all day while the lionesses are off doing the hunting and then when he decides he wants to "get some" he pounces the nearest lioness." Is there a better explanation?! Although to be fair lions sometimes hunt, but not often because lionesses are naturally more aggressive and the lion's mass and mane inhibit their hunt (as well as their enormous reproductive organs). Also, sometimes there are two lions in a pride and not just one. I love Wikipedia!
Parker and Reid also have a lion den which is located under our dining room table. They each have an end and rest their sweet lion heads on the table leg and make meowing noises while they pretend to sleep. They also walk around the house on all fours with their Ugg's on their feet, their rain boots on their hands and wearing goggles - don't really understand the goggle connection but I don't question.
The instrumental music of The Lion King, which is fabulous, has also inspired what I can only describe as some form of a tribal dance in our boys. Similar I suppose to the African Anteater Ritual, it must be their African roots bubbling to the surface. I only wish I could have their moves on video, but they don't groove on command, unfortunately.
There will be a natural end to The Lion King obsession one day, but that day isn't today, or tomorrow, or next week for that matter. We did however purchase "The Little Mermaid" broadway musical when we were back in the states. Who knows, we could have littler mermen or crabs swimming through our living room soon. Wonder what questions that music will initiate?
Rad. Wish I could witness this!
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