A Snake in the Grass

A Snake in the Grass is a book inspired by The Lion King. It was published by Grolier Books in 1994 as the fourth book in The Lion King: Six New Adventures.
==Synopsis==
In the middle of getting ready for an early afternoon nap, Timon and Pumbaa encountered Kopa, the young prince of Pride Rock. Shortly after the cub arrived, his mother, Nala, followed and questioned Kopa on why he was upset. When Kopa refused to answer, Timon and Pumbaa suggested that Nala leave him with them so that they could cheer him up. Nala agreed and departed for Pride Rock, leaving Kopa with Timon and Pumbaa.
With Nala gone, Kopa explained that his best friend, Afua, had befriended a cheetah cub named Beba, to whom he was constantly comparing Kopa. Timon and Pumbaa reflected on their own past arguments and told Kopa that there had been a time when they and Kopa's father, Simba, had hated each other just as much, if not more. Curiosity piqued, Kopa asked for more details, and the two friends decided to tell him the tale of Joka the python.
Back when Simba still lived in the jungle with Timon and Pumbaa, Timon was stalked and attacked by a giant python named Joka. Before the python could eat Timon, Simba arrived and drove Joka off, saving Timon from further harm. With the danger temporarily abated, the three friends decided to stick together in order to prevent Joka from isolating Timon. Unbeknownst to the three friends, Joka was listening from the shadows and hatched a plan to break up the three's friendship in order to get Timon alone.
The next morning, Joka approached Pumbaa and told him that Timon had called him rank and unintelligent behind his back, which had been what had prompted Joka to attack him. The python went on to say that Timon only needed Simba to protect him and that Pumbaa was extraneous and unwanted. Joka then slithered off and ordered Pumbaa to forget that they had talked.
Once out of his daze, Pumbaa returned to his friends, who decided to cool off at the mudhole. Pumbaa vouched to take a nap instead, and Timon relented, commenting that it was only important for Simba to come anyway, since he would be the one fending off Joka. Hurt, Pumbaa wondered if Timon would even miss him.
On their way to the mudhole, Simba attempted to make conversation with Timon, but Timon only showed interest in keeping watch for Joka. Simba accused Timon of only wanting him around as a bodyguard, and though Timon denied the assertion, he jumped at a rustle in the underbrush, convincing Simba that he did indeed only want the lion around as a bodyguard.
The next morning, Joka told Simba that Timon did not like him, but needed him around to serve as his bodyguard. A while later, he informed Pumbaa that Timon would rather be with Simba than with Pumbaa. All the while, Joka rustled nearby leaves to scare Timon into acting grouchily around his friends, who slowly began to believe Joka's lies.
The following day, while relaxing with his friends at the mudhole, Timon declared that Pumbaa could never figure things out on his own, which prompted Pumbaa to disown Timon as his best friend and storm off into the jungle. At first, Timon assumed that Pumbaa would return, but as the day wore on, Pumbaa did not return, and Timon grew weary of waiting.
Timon suggested to Simba that they take a trip to the waterfall, but Simba accused Timon of only wanting him to come as a bodyguard. Timon denied Simba's allegations, but Simba refused to go to the waterfall and instead set off in search of Pumbaa. A terrified Timon attempted to call Simba back, but Simba disappeared into the underbrush, leaving Timon alone in the jungle.
Meanwhile, Pumbaa sat in dejection on the bank of the waterfall, reflecting on his argument with Timon. Joka approached and told Pumbaa that Timon did not care if he returned, as Simba was his new best friend. The python then found Simba searching for Pumbaa and told him that Timon had reunited with Pumbaa and that neither wanted Simba to return. Though at first angry, Simba slowly came to realize that Joka's message did not match up and could be a trap.
Across the jungle, Joka attacked Timon and began to wrap him in tight coils. Just in time, Pumbaa arrived and attempted to spear Joka with his tusks, but the python continually moved Timon in the way, preventing Pumbaa from getting a clear shot. Before long, Simba arrived, and together, he and Pumbaa forced Joka to release Timon. In defeat, Joka tried to reconcile with the three, but Simba simply tossed the python into a nearby ravine, and Timon tossed rocks in for good measure.
After the story came to an end, Kopa wondered if the three had reconciled their friendship. Timon and Pumbaa explained that they had made up, though they had only stopped believing Joka's lies when they had heard the truth from one another. After a moment of thought, Kopa decided to talk with Afua, as Afua may not have known that he was hurting Kopa's feelings by comparing him to Beba. Timon and Pumbaa praised his decision and reminded him that he had talents of his own that Beba did not.
In better spirits, Kopa scampered off to see Afua, passing his mother along the way. Nala commented to Timon and Pumbaa that Kopa seemed much happier, and the two agreed, explaining that it had simply been a disagreement between friends. Nala thanked them for their help and started to leave. As she departed, she overheard Timon and Pumbaa begin to argue over who trusted the other more. However, she was not bothered, for she knew that nothing could come between true friends for long.
==Appearances==
==Gallery==
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Category:Books
Category:The Lion King books
Category:The Lion King: Six New Adventures
Category:Real world