We had to write a parable for English class, eleventh grade. This is mine. It reminds me of The Lion King. A lot.

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In a far-away land, where shade is scarce and the dusty ground is hot beneath the feet, a King ruled all the land. His Kingdom was so vast that he annually surveyed the territory and his people.

After ruling for many decades, the old King died, leaving the throne to his son. The new King ruled harshly and treated his subjects badly. Outside the walls of his castle, the threat of rebellion was high.

When the time came to survey the Kingdom, the King called upon the Lion, the lord of the lands beyond the castle. "Lion," he said, "I want you to survey your people for me."

"Yes, milord," the Lion said, bowing.

"I want you to catalogue your subjects and return in one week," the King went on. He handed the Lion a book and a quill with which he would keep track of his subjects.

The Lion bowed again and set off into the Outlands. He traveled for days, meeting with Hyenas and Giraffes and Antelopes. He kept meticulous notes in the King's book, being sure to mark down each subject he met.

On the fourth day, the Lion met a Zebra. "I come from the King's castle," the Lion announced. "How many are in your herd?"

The Zebra scoffed. "Not as many as there used to be," he answered. "The King has come into our land and stolen out brothers and sisters for nothing more than sport."

"What do you mean?" the Lion asked.

"The King has stolen nearly half our herd to use as beasts of burden," the Zebra spat. "He has no regard for our freedom!"

Disturbed, the Lion promised the Zebra that he would bring his complaint to the King. He continued on, and eventually came upon an Elephant.

"I come from the King's castle," the Lion announced. "How many are in your herd?"

The Elephant trumpeted loudly. "The King has killed my kind for sport! For our ivory!"

"I'm sure the King would do no such thing," the Lion said.

"I've seen it with my own eyes!" the Elephant said.

The Lion again promised to tell the King of the complaint. Finished surveying, he returned to the castle. On the way, he met with a few members of his pride.

"Where have you been?" the Lioness said. "While you were away, the King came to our pride and killed half of us for our furs!"

At this revelation, the Lion became enraged. He roared loudly and immediately began formulating a plan to get back at the King. When he found one, he called a meeting of all the animals he had spoken to.

"We need to make sure the King never hurts any of our people again," he said. "Zebras, go to the old elephant graveyard in the south. Wait there for the King. Everyone else, wait in the shadows around the graveyard. You will know when the time is right."

The Lion then returned to the castle. He handed the book over to the King and said, "While I was surveying, I came across an elephant graveyard, with tons of ivory. The Zebras made their herd there, where the grass grows on the fertile ground."

"Really?" said the King greedily. He steepled his fingers. "I shall go there right away!" He set out immediately, taking his closest followers and advisors with him.

At the elephant graveyard, the Zebras pretended to graze in the field. The predators waited around the graveyard for the King's arrival. When the King arrived, he cried out when he saw all the ivory spread across the ground. At that moment, the predators in the shadows pounced, killing the king and all those with him.

All across the kongdom, subjects rejoiced. From that day forth, no King took it upon himself to treat any of his subjects badly for fear of the Lion and the pride of the Outlands.