The Lion King is the story of young prince Simba, a lion cub living in The Pridelands. His mother is Sarabi, the queen and his father is the king Mufasa, meaning that Simba is the future king. Simba's evil uncle, Scar, is jealous. Why wasn't he the future king? Simba is a naive little cub who doesn't like responsiblities. Sharing his views is his best friend, Nala. The pair are very curious and explore an Elephant Graveyard. There they are chased, along with Zazu, the king's majodomo hornbill, by three hyenas working for Scar. Shenzi, Banzai and Ed (the hyenas) are attacked by Mufasa and after rescuing his cub, he explains to Simba about his true place. Scar, angry at his henchmen, devises another plan. This one, however, works. He causes a wildebeest stampede in which Mufasa is killed. Simba, horrified, runs away to the jungle. Scar happily takes Simba's place as the king. Meanwhile, tired and starving, Simba passes out but is rescued by a meerkat named Timon and a warthog named Pumbaa. Simba grows up in the jungle with them, living on a diet of bugs. Years later, a lioness attacks Pumbaa. This lioness is none other than Nala! Simba and Nala fall in love but Simba is not convinced to return to the Pridelands and take his place. Then, however, Rafiki, the baboon, one of Mufasa's old friends appears and explains to Simba that Mufasa lives in him. Simba is not convinced until Mufasa appears in the clouds as a ghost and tells Simba to take his place in the great Circle of Life. Simba returns to The Pridelands, along with Nala, Timon and Pumbaa and battles Scar. Scar foolishly says the hyenas are the enemies and they kill him.
Simba becomes king of Pride Rock. Finally the Circle is complete!