Simba - Having Trouble Keeping Promises?

[PrincessKiara]

OK, let me first say that I love Simba as much as the next person, but I just wanted to make this topic based on facts from TLK and SP. I assure you that this is not a flaming topic.

Simba obviously has no problem holding people to their word, but he seems to have some trouble keeping his own promises.

In TLK, Cubby Simba wakes up Mufasa: "You promised [to show me the kingdom today]!"
Later, as an adult, he remembers that Mufasa told him that the great kings of the past and Mufasa himself would always be there for him, yet he feels this isn’t true, so he shouts to the sky: "You said you’d always be there for me, but you’re not.." Simba makes sure to hold Mufasa to his word, right?

Now, as a cub Simba lies and breaks his promise to several members of his family.
He promises his Uncle Scar that he won’t "visit that dreadful place," and he lies to Sarabi about where he’s taking Nala. Later, in the gorge, Simba wants Scar to tell him about the "surprise," and says "If you tell me, I’ll still act surprised."

In SP, when Kiara is going on her first hunt, he promises her that he’ll let her to it alone, yet two seconds later he sends Timon and Pumbaa after her. I know he means well, but she shouldn’t have broken his word to his daughter.

I also want to mention that in one of the TLK6NA books, Simba has promised Kopa to show him the kingdom, but when Kopa mentions this, Simba is too busy and says they can’t do it. At the end of the book, after hearing a story from Rafiki, Simba realizes how important it is to keep a promise and takes Kopa on a tour after all. So he does keep his word sometimes too, lol.

What do you think?

[SnowyCheetah]

You've got a point, but it seemed that most of this behavior took place when he was still just a cub. And the lie he told to Kiara when he was an adult (and I suppose he also sort of lied to Nala, since it seemed to me he tried to keep his speaking to Timon and Pumbaa secret from her as well) was, as you said, what he thought was for the best. Though, even that took place while he was still young. I guess it's to be expected that while Simba is still young, he wouldn't have the same ability to keep promises like Mufasa did, partially because I think it was probably a skill for Mufasa to be able to keep all of his promises and still get everything done the way he wanted; only making promises he could keep, you might say. Perhaps that's Simba's area of weakness.

You have an excellent point. I think Simba's lack of 'promise-keeping' skill plays an important part in the movie, though I'm not really sure exactly what yet... perhaps just his relative immaturity.

[RayCat]

Heh, I like the topic ^^
I'd have to agree with Sno in a way, most of the promises he made when he was a cub, he probably didn't understand how important it was to keep a promise. Hey, I love Simba a lot too, but he is quite immature when it comes to holding on. Not that he isn't honest, because he admitted to his pride ,when he grew up, that he was responsible for killing Mufasa (or so he thought)

[PrincessKiara]

You have a good point, Snow.

I just think it’s a little shocking how Simba keeps lying to his family about going to the Elephant Graveyard without seeming to feel bad about it at any point. But I suppose young cubs can be like that sometimes. Simba wanted to visit that place really badly, and he knew he would have to lie in order to get there. If any adult knew what he was up to, they’d naturally stopped him.

And of course when he breaks his promise to Kiara he only does it to make sure she’s safe.
But it’s the principle of the thing! lol

[Panda-chan]

Everyone's right that most of these broken promises happened when Simba was a young immature cub. But even as an adult this was one aspect of his personality that never truly left him. I suppose that's what makes him stand out against Mufasa. Muffy always kept his word, even when Simba accused him of not doing so twice. Not only does he keep his own promises, but he trusts others to keep theirs ("You must never go there, Simba."). I think this what makes him such a good role model to young Simba. Too bad Mufasa wasn't around long enough to teach Simba that lying is bad... maybe this is why he never seems to be able to shake off the habit as an adult.

[Momotaro]

I think that as a cub, they were just all those I'll-tell-a-lie-so-I-won't-get-in-trouble things that kids do sometimes. Simba seemed to do it a lot, though.

But in SP, I think he was just being over-protective of Kiara once again. But I think he still should have let her go on her own, whether he liked it or not. I suppose no one ever taught him not to lie.

[PrincessKiara]

Yeah, the problem seems to be that Simba never learned that lying is wrong.

[TheRoguePrince]

As a cub he was rather selfish in his lies, but at least his heart was in the right place when he lied to Kiara. Still, he needs to learn his lesson, where's Rafiki with that legendary stick?

[PrincessKiara]

^ I agree with you. Simba needs another whack from Rafiki! It seemed to work fine the first time, lol.

[TheRoguePrince]

hahaha, Simba will never see it coming.