Rafiki quotes from Mufasa: The Lion King (2024)

It’s time I tell you a story. A story of a cub not much bigger than you.

This story begins far beyond the mountains and the shadows on the other side of the light. A lion was born without a drop of nobility in his blood, a lion who would change our lives forever.

If you take my life, you will never find where you are going.

I am not a baboon, I am a mandrill.

We are nearing destiny, Mufasa. And so the earth must shake.

Destiny awaits you.

It's not about what you were, it's what you will become.

It is your time, Mufasa.

Security detail reporting for duty. Your Grace, Your Higness...

Ruler of all four-legged creatures. [bows.]

And that one three-legged zebra.

Oh, right. Ron. That was tragic.

It was an eat-an-Ron.

Yeah.

Ron has three legs. That's still one more than me.

Well, are those arms are legs?

I don't know. I think they're paws.

I consider all those legs.

Guys, this is serious. I need you to stay with Kiara until I get back.

Are you saying that your security detail has been called on to do babysitting.

Pumbaa, we should really discuss this, because [whispers in Pumbaa's ear.] I don't really love chil—

Guys, I promised her everything will be okay.

Well, that's one way to parent.

She's gotta grow up sometime.

What else did you tell her? That she can be whatever she wants to be?

That life is fair?

I need you two to try and act like adults, okay? Don't scare Kiara. And most of all, no stories.

No stories?

Wait a sec.

I know where your head goes. I grew up with you two. Promise me.

You know what, you know what, you know what? Fine. No stories.

Speak for yourself, Pumbaa.

No. Pssh. [whispers to Timon] We'll tell a story anyway.

Okay. We're gonna tell him that we're not gonna tell a story, and then we're gonna tell a story and then...

Are you guys serious? I'm clearly with an earshot. [Kiara enters the scene.] Kiara. Hey, little one.

Kiara

*whimpers* [Simba circles around Kiara, then lies down.] Dad? The storm's coming, and I'm scared. I wanna go with you and Mom. [Kiara nuzzles Simba.] *whimpers* *purrs*

Well, Don't be scared, my love. Timon and Pumbaa will watch you while I'm gone. Be brave now, Kiara. Be brave. [Then leaves the scene.]

Okay, we prepared a story! [cut to the final battle from the remake, in which he and Timon defeat Scar instead of Simba].

Scar looked at us! He knew it was the end of the line! I COULD SMELL THE FEAR!

That was actually me, but yes. [Scar attacks, but Timon punches him. Then Pumbaa headbutts him off the cliff.]

Kiara

So you two defeated Scar, and then you ate him?

Honestly, one of the best meals I ever had.

Kiara

My dad told me he defeated Scar.

Well, okay, [Timon climbs onto Pumbaa's head. Pumbaa begins to trot deeper into the cave. Kiara follows.] but your dad, as we all know, is a pathological liar.

*click*

He's always lyin'. [Lightning flickers.] Get it?

Kiara

I'm scared. I want Mom and Dad.

Now, look, look, look, look, look. Don't be scared, Kiara. How about... [with increasing joviality] we sing you a song? And a one...

Pumbaa, no! It is way too early for the song!

It worked on Simba! He thought he had murdered his own father. He was singin' and dancin' around in seconds!

I can't just turn it on like that. I have to be [Timon turns his head away dramatically.] in the moment.

He sang that song for six years straight!

Well, who didn't?! What the...? [thunder rumbles again,Kiara gasps and cower against the ground while she, Timon and Pumbaa watch in horror.]
AAAAARRRRRGGGGGHHHHH!!!!! IT'S RON THE THREE-LEGGED ZEBRA! RUN FOR YOUR LIVES!

He heard what we've been sayin' about him! [Cut to a blurry view of the cave entrance, with Kiara smiling and walking toward it in the foreground.] We're sorry, Ron! They were just jokes! [Rafiki enters the scene]

Kiara

It's Rafiki. [runs to Rafiki.] Rafiki! Rafiki!

Little one, there's no reason to cry.

Kiara

My parents. They're gone.

Hey. [Rafiki walks toward the cave entrance. Kiara follows. In the background, Timon and Pumbaa follow as well.] Look out there, mdogo. You see those baobab trees blowing in the wind? [Cut to Rafiki's tree blowing in the wind, with Kiara and Rafiki approaching it in the foreground.] The roots of those trees are very strong, like your family. And just as they did for you, your parents have gone to the ceremonial birthing grounds, and when they return, [Cut to Kiara and Rafiki standing side by side in the cave entrance, while Timon and Pumbaa look on in the background.] the Circle of Life will bring a blessing to you, Kiara...

Kiara

*gasps*

...that you will never forget.

Man, he's good. He's such a visual storyteller.

Yet it makes sense that he lives alone.

Kiara

I just want the storm to pass, and then, I promise to be brave! Just a little bit...