The Lion King

In 1994, the 32nd full-length animated feature film produced by Walt Disney Pictures debuted in theaters. Though criticized by some as Bambi set in Africa, The Lion King became an instant success and continues to be a fan favorite.

The Lion King takes place in the Pride Lands, a fictional region where a lion rules over all other animals as king. When the young lion prince, Simba, is born and presented to the animal gathering at Pride Rock, his uncle Scar realizes he’s been bumped from his claim to the throne and plots to kill both Simba and his father, King Mufasa.

The king dies in Scar’s plotted wildebeest stampede, but Simba survives and is led by Scar to believe that his father’s death was his fault. Grieved and guilt-ridden, Simba flees the kingdom in shame. Scar then informs the pride that both Mufasa and Simba were killed in the stampede and assumes the throne. After years of exile, Simba is persuaded to return home to overthrow the usurper. He reclaims the kingdom, thus completing the “Circle of Life.”

The film concludes with the Pride Lands’ recovery from the devastation Scar caused, greening and thriving with life again, and with the Circle’s continuation as the Pride’s shaman, Rafiki, presents Simba and Nala's newborn cub.

Adapting the film to the stage, “Festival of the Lion King” is a perennial favorite live performance at Animal Kingdom’s Camp Minnie-Mickey. In keeping with the summer camp theme of this Park area, Guests gather in an assembly hall to sing songs and share stories. The four rolling stages on which fifty costumed performers combine dance, acrobatics, and elaborate staging are actually floats once used in a Disneyland parade.

Today’s Takeaway:
In The Lion King, a meerkat named Timon and a warthog named Pumbaa foster the exiled Simba as he grows from cub to king. Addressed early in their relationship are the different eating habits of the three animals. Timon and Pumbaa are bug-eating insectivores, whereas Simba is a meat-eating carnivore. In this fictional setting, friendship outweighs hunger pangs. Rather than dine on his companions, Simba adapts to their diet.

In real life, meerkats are insectivores, warthogs are herbivores, and lions are carnivores, and none of the three would coexist peaceably in such a herd. Have your children investigate each of the three meal plans. Consider habitat, behavior, and physical aspects of the three creatures and discuss why each one benefits from his specified diet. Take a trip to your local zoo. Ask the caretakers about the daily dietary needs of each type of animal.

Humans dine on meat and produce, but most in our American culture avoid eating bugs. For extra credit, if you feel especially adventuresome, visit a specialty foods market and purchase properly prepared insect delicacies. Invite your children to sample some if they dare!

SCHOOL SUBJECT: Life Science
SKILL LEVEL: Elementary