Christmas In The Tree Of Life

Early in the morning, Rani returns from the night patrol and enters the tree of life, where she finds Kion already awake.
“Hey, Rani. How was the night patrol?”
“Calm, like it’s been lately.” Rani notices how Kion seems more cheerful than usual this morning. “Kion? You seem very excited. What’s wrong?”
“The Guard and I are going to prepare a surprise for you and all our friends.”
“A surprise? Kion…” She looks at him with some suspicion.
“Relax, Rani. I’m sure you’ll love it.” Kion nuzzles Rani, purring a little.
“Well… Okay. I trust you. Besides…” Rani yawns. “It’s time for me to go to sleep.”
“Then sleep well, my queen. You need it.”
“Thank you.”
Rani lies down on the royal rock and Kion leaves the tree. Outside, Kion meets with the Lion Guard.
“Hey, Kion. We’re all ready to start decorating the tree.” Bunga is very excited.
“Kion. Are you sure Rani won’t mind?” Fuli asks. “After all, the tree of life is very important to her and all the animals of these lands.”
“I know. But I’m sure Rani and the others will accept it as soon as we show them what we’ve been preparing.”
“I believe so.” Beshte says. “It'll be beautiful.”
“Then let’s begin. There are many animals we need to talk to. Ono, Anga. Can you start preparing the tree?”
“Affirmative.” Ono replies.
“Yup.” Anga says.
“Bunga. As soon as you can, come help Ono and Anga.”
“Okay, Kion.”
The group splits up, each with their own tasks.
Fuli and Azaad talk to Heng Heng and Kely's troop. Bunga talks to Astuto and Varya's families. Beshte talks to Tangaagim and Pinguino. Kion talks to frogs and musk deers. Makini picks some bellflowers and Bunga picks some fruit with Binga's help. Ono and Anga decorate the tree of life with some colorful flowers and fruits.
Soon, Kion is walking alone when Ullu flies towards him. "Hoo! Hello, Kion."
"Oh. Hello, Ullu. What's wrong? I thought you were sleeping."
"I was. But... I woke up and decided to fly around the lands for a bit. I noticed that you and the Guard are very busy. What's going on?"
"Well... I want to surprise Rani."
"Is this related to the fact that Ono and Anga are putting flowers and fruit on the tree of life?"
“Yeah…” Kion thinks for a moment. “Ullu. Actually, do you think you can help us?”
“Me? How?”
“Ask the Night Pride to join us as soon as they wake up.”
“What about Queen Rani?”
“I’ll keep her distracted for a while and then I’ll show up with her in time for the surprise.”
“Okay, Kion.”
“Just one more thing, Ullu.”
“What?”
“I need you to talk to ten birds. We’re going to need them… and you.”
“Okay?” Ullu agrees, though she’s a little confused.
After some fussing and work, everything seems to be ready. The tree of life is finally decorated. Although it’s not an acacia, that decoration still looks beautiful on that tree.
Inside the tree, Rani wakes up and Kion appears.
“Hello, sleepyhead.”
“Hey, Kion. Is everything ok? You’re usually working when I wake up.”
“Everything’s fine. I just… want you to come with me.”
“Oh. Are you showing me that surprise you talked about?”
“You’ll see.”
“Well. I have nothing better to do at the moment, so…” Rani stands up and stretches. “Show me.”
Kion guides Rani out of the tree. Luckily, she doesn't look up at the tree, so she doesn't see the decoration. After Kion and Rani leave, some animals start to position themselves in front of the tree.
Meanwhile, Kion guides Rani to the river, then through the woods and to near tundra.
“Kion… I’m actually enjoying spending time with you, but you still haven’t told me or shown me anything new. What did you want to show me, after all?”
“Well, Rani. I think it is time. Come with me.”
“Heh. Are we going to visit another place I’ve known since I was born?”
“No. This time, you’ll actually see something new.”
“Now I’m really curious.”
Kion continues to guide Rani, but this time, he takes her back to the tree of life. There, Rani is surprised to see the tree’s decoration and a huge group of animals waiting for them.
“Kion? What is this? What did they do to the tree? Why is everyone here?” Rani is confused, curious, surprised and happy, all at once.
“Rani… In the Pride Lands, we started a celebration that unites the animals in a spirit of peace and joy that is hard to describe. We call it... Christmas.”
“Christmas?”
“Yes. It’s a day of sharing, togetherness and… well… it’s easier to feel than to explain.”
Rani observes the animals and notices that the Night Pride is also there. “They knew?”
“I asked Ullu to keep it a secret. I wanted it to be a surprise and… a kind of Christmas present for you.” Kion blushes slightly.
“Oh, Kion…” Rani blushes slightly too.
“J-Just one more thing.”
“There’s more?”
“We learned a Christmas song that was sung for a specific reason, but… We like it so much that we want to keep singing it every Christmas. This time, here at the Tree of Life. I hope you like it.”
“I already like it.”
Rani and Kion smile at each other lovingly before the group starts singing and perform “The Twelve Ways Of Christmas”, this time at the Tree of Life.

(KION)
For the first way of Christmas
My good friends gave to me
A panda climbing the tree of life

(FULI)
For the second way of Christmas
My good friends gave to me
Two polar bears standing
(LION GUARD)
And a panda climbing the tree of life

(BUNGA)
For the third way of Christmas
My good friends gave to me
Three foxes hiding
(FULI)
Two polar bears standing
(LION GUARD)
And a panda climbing the tree of life

(BESHTE)
For the fourth way of Christmas
My good friends gave to me
Four tigers leaping
(BUNGA)
Three foxes hiding
(FULI)
Two polar bears standing
(LION GUARD)
And a panda climbing the tree of life

(ONO)
For the fifth way of Christmas
My good friends gave to me
(LION GUARD)
Penguins sliding!
(BESHE)
Four tigers leaping
(BUNGA)
Three foxes hiding
(FULI)
Two polar bears standing
(LION GUARD)
And a panda climbing the tree of life

(ANGA)
For the sixth way of Christmas
My good friends gave to me
Six lemurs jumping
(LION GUARD)
Penguins sliding!
(BESHTE)
Four tigers leaping
(BUNGA)
Three foxes hiding
(FULI)
Two polar bears standing
(LION GUARD)
And a panda climbing the tree of life

(KION)
For the seventh way of Christmas
My good friends gave to me
Seven frogs croaking
(ANGA)
Six lemurs jumping
(LION GUARD)
Penguins sliding!
(BESHTE)
Four tigers leaping
(BUNGA)
Three foxes hiding
(FULI)
Two polar bears standing
(LION GUARD)
And a panda climbing the tree of life

(MAKINI)
For the eighth way of Christmas
My good friends gave to me
Eight musk deers running
(KION)
Seven frogs croaking
(ANGA)
Six lemurs jumping
(LION GUARD)
Penguins sliding!
(BESHTE)
Four tigers leaping
(BUNGA)
Three foxes hiding
(FULI)
Two polar bears standing
(LION GUARD)
And a panda climbing the tree of life

(FULI)
For the ninth way of Christmas
My good friends gave to me
Nine bellflowers raining
(MAKINI)
Eight musk deers running
(KION)
Seven frogs croaking
(ANGA)
Six lemurs jumping
(LION GUARD)
Penguins sliding!
(BESHTE)
Four tigers leaping
(BUNGA)
Three foxes hiding
(FULI)
Two polar bears standing
(LION GUARD)
And a panda climbing the tree of life

(BUNGA)
For the tenth way of Christmas
My good friends gave to me
Ten jackalberries
(FULI)
Nine bellflowers raining
(MAKINI)
Eight musk deers running
(KION)
Seven frogs croaking
(ANGA)
Six lemurs jumping
(LION GUARD)
Penguins sliding!
(BESHTE)
Four tigers leaping
(BUNGA)
Three foxes hiding
(FULI)
Two polar bears standing
(LION GUARD)
And a panda climbing the tree of life

(BESHTE)
For the eleventh way of Christmas
My good friends gave to me
Eleven birds flying
(BUNGA)
Ten jackalberries
(FULI)
Nine bellflowers raining
(MAKINI)
Eight musk deers running
(KION)
Seven frogs croaking
(ANGA)
Six lemurs jumping
(LION GUARD)
Penguins sliding!
(BESHTE)
Four tigers leaping
(BUNGA)
Three foxes hiding
(FULI)
Two polar bears standing
(LION GUARD)
And a panda climbing the tree of life

(ONO)
For the twelfth way of Christmas
My good friends gave to me
Twelve boxthorn berries
(BESHTE)
Eleven birds flying
(BUNGA)
Ten jackalberries
(FULI)
Nine bellflowers raining
(MAKINI)
Eight musk deers running
(KION)
Seven frogs croaking
(ANGA)
Six lemurs jumping
(LION GUARD)
Penguins sliding!
(BESHTE)
Four tigers leaping
(BUNGA)
Three foxes hiding
(FULI)
Two polar bears standing
(LION GUARD)
And a panda climbing the tree of life
And a panda climbing the tree of life

At the end of the song, everyone shouts: “MERRY CHRISTMAS!”
Rani pins Kion and licks him, making him blush and purr a little.
“I think that means you liked it.” He comments.
“I loved it, Kion. It was amazing.”
Baliyo goes over to them. “Hey, Kion. Lovely party. But… Christmas? I don’t quite know what it is, but I’m already enjoying it.”
"As I told Rani, it’s easier to feel than to explain. But, if you feel an inexplicable joy, if you feel peace and unity around you, then you are feeling Christmas.”
Nirmala also appears. “You know, Kion? If what you say is true, then I think it’s Christmas every day here at the Tree of Life.”
“Merry Christmas, Kion.” Rani kisses Kion’s snout. “I love you.”
“And I love you, Rani. Merry Christmas.”

MERRY CHRISTMAS, EVERYONE!