Simba meets James
Part 1
It was a hot day on the African savannah, and Simba the lion cub was lying on his back. He looked at his paws. ``I wish I could be something other than a lion for a change. I know I need to be a lion in order to be king, but I wish I could be any other animal, just for a little bit.'' Just then, Zazu flew down.
``Oh, Simba, whatever is the matter?'' He said.
``Zazu, I like being a lion. But there are so many other animals in the savannah that I would like to be as well. I would love to swim like a hippo, or squirt water like a hippo, or run with the zebras. Heck, I would even like to be a bird and fly around like you, Zazu!'' Simba lamented. Zazu was quite pleased to hear the last part.
``Why thank you, Simba! It's rather nice to know that you're gaining respect for hornbills like me! Why, your father didn't choose me as his majordomo for nothing,'' he said.
``Actually, Nah. I wouldn't want to be a hornbill. Too tiny and scrawny! If I'm gonna be a bird, I'd rather be a great big eagle!'' said Simba, much to Zazu's dismay.
``Tiny?! Scrawny?! Why, I am quite capable of defending myself, young Simba. Why, there was this one time-'' he started, but Simba cut him off.
``I wonder if there's any way to get myself changed, Zazu?''
``Well, there is someone who I think could do it. He is a duck. He's visiting Africa from his homeland, and he specializes in transformation. I heard he has a magic wand, given to him from a dragon. He's driving his jeep around, looking for new species to make transformation potions for. He sleeps in something called a trailer,'' said Zazu. Simba was confused.
``What's a jeep? And what's a trailer?'' he asked.
``Well, a jeep is something with wheels. Instead of needing to pull it around with an ox, whoever wants to drive it just hops in, turns a key, and off they go. There must be some sort of force powering it, but I don't know what it is. A trailer is like a little den, but also on wheels, so the jeep can pull it. But inside, there are plenty of luxuries that you've never seen. Very soft nests called beds, and strange round circles called a stove, which is used to heat up food.'' Zazu explained. Simba was confused.
``Heat up food? Why would anyone do that? Food tastes best when it's raw!'' he said.
Zazu continued. ``They're both made of a substance called metal, which is kind of like stone, but thinner and more smooth. I don't blame you if you're puzzled, it's all really quite confusing.''
``Well, where is this wizard?'' said Simba enthusiastically.
``Well, last I saw his jeep and trailer, they were near that pond where the hippos swim. But I don't advise you to get transformed into another species! You were born a lion, and that's what you should stay as-'' Simba ran off to the hippo pond before Zazu could finish.
Simba ran and ran to the Hippo pond. He just couldn't wait to meet this wizard! He was thinking of all the things that he could be turned into. ``Maybe I'll get turned into a crocodile and have rows of sharp teeth! Oh, or maybe a gazelle and be able to run really fast! Maybe he would even turn me into a dragon! That way, I could fly around and breathe fire!'' Simba was extremely excited. He ran as fast as his little paws could carry him until he could see something similar to what Zazu described under an acacia tree. ``That looks like a thing with wheels. This must be it!'' And sure enough, it was. A mallard duck, clad in a pith helmet and grey sweater, sat on a log, and roasted a weenie over a campfire. He was whispering a lighthearted tune. Simba wasn't expecting a wizard to look like this, but he still approached the duck slowly. The duck noticed him.
``Ah, a lion cub! And what is your name? Mine is James.''
``Simba. Are you the wizard?'' Simba said skeptically.
``Well, I could do some magic. Here, have a weenie!'' James tossed one of his raw sausages to Simba. ``I presume you lions like them raw!'' Simba ate his sausage and observed the duck and his equipment. It was all very strange, but certainly not anything a wizard would carry around!
``Are you really a wizard?'' asked Simba.
``I guess you could say that I am,'' James replied.
``You don't look like a wizard. Where's your robe and pointy hat?'' asked Simba skeptically.
``Well, I've never really called myself a wizard-'' James started.
``Hah! I knew it! You're not a wizard, Zazu was just lying to me!'' Simba said.
``Well hold on there, I could definitely do magic!'' James said in defense.
``Then prove it!'' demanded Simba.
``I will. But at least let me eat first!'' James said. Simba sighed and lay down. He didn't believe in James' magic, but if there was a chance for him to get transformed, he was willing to wait for it.
Soon, James was done eating. Simba was getting impatient. ``So, how about proving that you could really do magic?'' he said.
``Okay, you've waited long enough,'' said James. He went to his jeep and opened the back trunk. He took out a stick with a pointing dragon's hand on it. ``Now, Simba, hold very still.'' the wand lit up like a sparkler, and then zapped Simba's underside! Simba was still laying down. He felt a big, bulgy thing form underneath him. It was uncomfortable to have whatever it was rub the ground, so Simba jolted up. ``Feel different?'' James said.
``Um, not really?'' replied Simba. He then examined his body and noticed something strange. On his underside was a cow's udder! ``On second thought, a little bit.'' He was rather embarrassed.
``Hey, now you can have fresh milk with your breakfast!'' James said.
``Milk? Blech! Milk is for cubs when they can't eat meat!'' Simba replied. ``Oh yeah, I forgot you lions don't like milk,'' said James. ``Well, what brought you here, anyway? Is there a wish you want me to grant?''
Simba perked up. This was the moment he had been waiting for! ``Mr. James the Wizard, I would like you to transform me into a different animal.'' he declared.
``Good wish! Any particular species in mind?'' said James.
``You could turn me into anything. I just want to be something else for a change!'' Simba said.
``Anything, huh?'' said James. He thought to himself, ``I'll turn him into a chimera, a combination of all sorts of animals. He certainly won't expect that!'' He then said ``very well, then.'' He pointed the wand at Simba. It started to sparkle and zapped Simba's rear end. His tail's hair started to puff out as two white stripes drew themselves down it. It looked like it belonged to a skunk but in lion-fur-gold! Simba waved it around.
``Ooh, elegant! Are you turning me into a skunk?'' he asked.
``Well, not exactly. That's only the first part of the package. Time for your hind legs!'' James said as he zapped Simba's back legs. The fur on his legs became shorter and turned gray. His claws morphed together and became hooves. He now had donkey legs!
``How do you like your new legs?'' James said.
``I don't know. They seem kinda strange- HEE HAW!'' Simba started kicking and braying like a donkey.
``It's all part of the package,'' said James. ``Now for your front legs!'' James pointed his wand at Simba's front legs. Nothing much changed, except that black spots dotted them.
``Are these cheetah legs?'' Simba asked.
``Of course! Now you can run super fast!'' James replied. Simba grinned.
``I like that,'' he said. James then noticed the rest of Simba's body.
``You know, your body really needs some more character,'' said James.
``Character? What do you mean?'' asked Simba.
``Your body needs more detail, you know? And I know just the thing.'' James zapped Simba's back, and a big hump emerged from it. Simba wasn't prepared for the extra weight, so he fell down.
``A camel hump?!'' Simba said.
``Why, sure! Wouldn't it be nice to carry a lot of water, so you never get thirsty?'' James replied.
``I-I guess so?'' Simba said as he tried to stand up. His legs were trembling with the large hump on his back.
``Here, let me help you,'' James said, and he helped Simba keep steady until he gained balance. When that was all over, James noticed that he hadn't changed Simba's head yet.
``Goodness, I almost forgot the most important part!'' James said.
``What's that?'' Simba asked.
``Your head! The head is the most expressive part of the body. If that doesn't get transformed, what's the point in changing the rest of your body?'' James said.
``Hmm, good point,'' Simba agreed. James pointed the wand at Simba's face.
``Say cheese!'' James said.
``Cheese!'' Simba said excitedly, and showed his best smile. Once again, the wand lit up and zapped Simba's head. His ears became pointy, and his muzzle became narrower and longer. Simba now had a fox head!
``Ooh, how do I look?'' said Simba.
``Not bad! See for yourself!'' James produced a mirror from his backpack and held it in front of Simba.
``Wow! Lookin' good, Simba!'' he said as he admired his new vulpine face.
``Now for the finishing touches!'' James said.
``This is already pretty cool, but go ahead!'' Simba said. James zapped both sides of Simba's body, and two dragon wings emerged.
``I figured a creature as magnificent as you should be able to fly!'' James said.
``Oh, boy! I hope Zazu can teach me how to use these babies!'' Simba flapped his new wings. ``How could I ever pay you?''
``All you have to do is keep the udder,'' said James. Suddenly, Simba's excitement turned to disappointment.
``Keep the udder? I was just gonna ask you to get rid of it! Why do I have to keep it?'' Simba said defensively.
``It's part of the deal-'' James said.
``Well, deal's off! I don't want anyone to see me with this stupid udder!'' Simba almost yelled.
``Very well. I'll just turn you back into a lion!'' James said as his wand lit up. Simba realized his mistake.
``No!'' he said, and leaped to grab the wand from James. He grabbed it in his mouth just as it was about to zap, and when it did, it was pointing at James! Simba didn't realize this, though, and thought the victory was his. ``Ha ha! I got the wand!'' he taunted. He then turned around, and a horrifying sight awaited him. Towering some 13 feet above him was an enormous brown lion with a green head and brown mane! When he saw the gray sweater and pith helmet on the lion?s head, his heart sank. He had transformed James! James the lion gazed down at the chimera and shot him a cold, icy stare. ``Whoops.''
``Bad move on your part, Simba!'' James roared. Simba ran away with the wand in his mouth as James chased him with his claws out. Simba tripped over a rock and dropped the wand. James picked it up and pointed it at Simba, transforming him into a zebra! ``Mmm, Zebra! Now that I'm a lion, a zebra dinner sounds quite good now!'' James was only bluffing, but Simba thought that he was really going to be eaten! But then, Simba remembered that zebras could kick. As James was rubbing his paws together, Simba kicked him over with his back hooves. ``Ouch!'' James yelled as he fell over, dropping the wand. Simba wasted no time and grabbed the wand in his mouth. He pointed it at the beastly lion. Simba didn't know how to operate the wand, so he could only hope it would turn James into something less scary. The wand zapped, and James shrank until he was a tiny mouse!
``Perfect! Now to play the stomping game!'' Simba said. He lifted a hoof to stomp on James. James narrowly escaped, only to be almost stomped by his other hoof! This went on and on. Simba was so focused on trying to stomp on James, that he forgot about the wand. He dropped it from his mouth, and it landed right in front of James. James lifted it with all his mouse strength and pointed it to Simba's underside, transforming him, too, into a mouse.
``There, now we're even. Why don't we settle this over a nice piece of cheddar?'' James said.
``I don't know what cheddar is, but no thanks! How would you like to be a tiny little bug?'' Simba said, and he pointed the wand at James. But James didn't turn into a bug. He turned into a kangaroo!
``Now it's my turn to play stompies!'' James said. He leaped and hopped close to Simba, but wasn't trying to actually hurt him. James was just trying to scare Simba out of being stubborn. James got a little too carried away, and let go of the wand. Simba grabbed it. This time, though, he pointed it at himself.
``Please be something I want!'' he said. The wand lit up, and Simba transformed into a large eagle! ``Perfect!'' he thought. He noticed James was oblivious to the fact that Simba changed.
Meanwhile, James was still hopping around, trying to find Simba the mouse! ``Where are you, Simba!'' he said. Just then he noticed a bird's shadow fly over him. It was Simba as an eagle, and he was carrying James' wand!
``See ya, James! I'm gonna turn myself into a lion with this!'' he said, and flew out of sight. James sighed.
``Well, I guess I'm stuck as a kangaroo until I get a new wand. Maybe I was too hard on Simba. I got too carried away. Oh, well, guess I'll have to get used to `roo life. Maybe it won't be bad.''
At the same time, Simba was having problems of his own. ``I hope my dad doesn't get mad at me for not being a lion. I hope I can change myself back. I really should have listened to Zazu,'' he sighed, as he flew back to Pride Rock.
