Rhino Trouble

Rhino Trouble is a short story inspired by The Lion King. It was published by Scholastic on September 19, 1997, as part of Short Stories.
==Synopsis==
Zazu reported to Simba, the king of the Pride Lands, that an ugly-looking rhinoceros was hanging about Kifo River. Simba commented that Zazu should not judge an animal based on their appearance, but the hornbill insisted that the rhinoceros was unusually black and ugly, and had an incredibly sharp horn. At Zazu's words, Simba recalled how his father, Mufasa, had taught him about two different kinds of rhinoceroses, including black rhinoceroses. Over the years, according to Mufasa, the black rhinoceros population had dwindled to the point that some believed that they would die out completely.
Simba instructed Zazu to leave the rhinoceros alone and to inform the Pride Landers that the rhinoceros was not a threat. Though Zazu still distrusted the rhinoceros, he flew off to do his king's bidding.
Later, Simba was reminiscing about the past with his old friends, Timon and Pumbaa. While the three were talking, they were startled by the sound of approaching hooves, and Timon vowed to protect Pumbaa from the danger. However, two harmless waterbuck named Kuro and Kanga approached and bowed before Simba. They then reported that four waterbuck had been brutally slaughtered near Kifo River. Zazu believed that the strange black rhinoceros was to blame, and even Timon and Pumbaa agreed with the sentiment. In the face of his friends' fear, Simba agreed to investigate the situation and ordered Zazu to accompany him.
By the time Simba and Zazu had reached Kifo River, dark had fallen. The two soon spotted the rhinoceros, and Zazu wondered if confronting the creature was such a wise idea. Despite the hornbill's protests, Simba greeted the rhinoceros and asked him if he was enjoying his meal. The rhinoceros, who introduced himself as Kifaru, explained that the shoots by Kifo River were especially succulent at that time of year.
As Simba chatted with Kifaru, Zazu insisted that the rhinoceros was the killer, but Simba pointed out that rhinoceroses were vegetarians. Zazu realized Simba's logic, and Simba pointed out that Zazu had been so frightened of Kifaru that he had made unfair assumptions about him.
Just then, Kifaru heard a strange noise. The three soon spotted two dark shapes that were keeping to the shadows. Per Simba's instructions, Zazu acted as bait and lured the creatures, two hyenas named Fisi and Jake, into the open. As the hyenas surrounded Zazu, they commented that they had killed waterbuck the other day.
At the hyenas' confession, Simba revealed himself and told the hyenas that they should not play with their food. Though Fisi tried to flee, Kifaru blocked him and helped Simba drive the predators out of the kingdom. After the rescue, Zazu praised the two for a job well-done, then apologized to Kifaru for having judged him so harshly. Kifaru accepted Zazu's apology, after which Simba and Zazu returned home.
==Appearances==
Category:The Lion King short stories
Category:Real world
Category:Short stories