Trouble at the Lake

Trouble at the Lake 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 Pride Rock, that the flamingos and hippopotamuses were threatening war with one another. Though Simba was reluctant to interfere in the matter, Rafiki reminded him that it was a king's duty to look out for his subjects and to uphold the laws of his kingdom. With some additional encouragement from Zazu, Simba agreed to settle the matter.
Simba and Zazu arrived at Lake Kidogo, where Zazu attempted to get the attention of the gathered animals. However, when the noise drowned out Zazu's yells, Simba released a ground-shaking roar that brought immediate silence to the lake. Once he had everyone's attention, he asked the crowd why the flamingos and hippopotamuses were fighting. In answer, a group of flamingos and a group of hippopotamuses jostled forward, all speaking over one another so that Simba could not understand them. After roaring for silence again, the lion told each species to send a representative to Pride Rock.
At Pride Rock, Simba met with Kiboko and Yeye, the respective hippopotamus and flamingo representatives. Kiboko explained that the flamingos were constantly partying and making noise, which made it impossible for the hippopotamuses to sleep. Conversely, Yeye accused the hippopotamuses of being dirty and unrefined, and trailing mud prints everywhere. Simba asked Yeye if Kiboko's charges were true, and she explained that flamingos simply liked to have get-togethers to discuss the "finer and more important things of life."
After hearing both sides of the story, Simba told Kiboko and Yeye that each species could hold Lake Kidogo for the day, after which he would judge which species deserved to live there. The two reluctantly agreed and left Pride Rock. Once they were gone, Simba told Rafiki and Zazu that he would not be the one who would make the final decision; rather, it would be Kiboko and Yeye themselves. Though Zazu was confused, Rafiki laughed and praised Simba for his wisdom.
On the arranged day, Kiboko and Yeye returned to Pride Rock, as had been previously arranged. While Yeye looked exhausted, Kiboko looked even dirtier than usual. The two informed Simba that they wished to continue sharing the lake, and Simba questioned how they had reached such a decision. Yeye explained that, with the hippopotamuses gone, the hyenas and jackals had taken an interest in Lake Kidogo, and Kiboko explained that, with the flamingos gone, the hamerkops and oxpeckers had left the hippopotamuses to their ticks and itches. Simba granted their request, and the two left.
After the meeting, Zazu praised Simba for his wisdom and even compared him to his kingly father, Mufasa. In answer, Simba said that everyone was dependent on someone else and that teamwork was the secret of the Pride Lands.
==Appearances==
Category:The Lion King short stories
Category:Real world
Category:Short stories