When Matata took ill, Hakuna went into mourning, calling out and searching vainly for her
sister. I thought of the familiar passage from Jeremiah:
A voice is heard on high, wailing, bitter weeping; Rachel weeps for her children, she
refuses to be consoled…
Thus Hakuna grieved in her own, quiet way.
We became concerned when she didn’t touch her food without Matata there to give
permission. Yet the morning Matata died, she cleaned her bowl.
We’re convinced Matata spoke to her. “It’s okay to eat, Sister. Be strong. Be strong for
them, because they need you more than ever now.”
