The Magic grass...

[Panda-chan]

Well according to lionking.org, the dusty "stuff" is actually milkweed that Simba stirred into the air when he flopped down. So when this drifted on the wind to Rafiki's baobab tree (don't ask me how lol), he must have recognized Simba's odor when he grabbed a handful from the air and sniffed it. After that, Rafiki descends from the top of the tree, pours the milkweed into a turtle shell and sifts it around. Finally he recognizes something in the shell that confirms that it is Simba, perhaps some stray pieces of fur?
This also explains how Rafiki was able to track down Simba's location. The fact that it was milkweed that blew from a certain direction indicates that Simba is located at a place where the plant is known to grow... Timon and Pumbaa's jungle. And maybe, judging from the age of the grass and where it blew from, he could of calculated which direction and how far away Simba was. After that he simply had to find clues lying around (scent trail, pawprints, etc) that led him closer and closer to Simba.
As for what he intended to do with the dusty "stuff" originally, well, he's Rafiki so 'nuff said lol

[SummerSnowLeopard]

Yes. I think it was Simba's scent guided by Mufasa

But how would Rafiki remember Simba's scent that long

[FlipMode]

[quote="Amanda"]Well according to lionking.org, the dusty "stuff" is actually milkweed that Simba stirred into the air when he flopped down. So when this drifted on the wind to Rafiki's baobab tree (don't ask me how lol), he must have recognized Simba's odor when he grabbed a handful from the air and sniffed it. After that, Rafiki descends from the top of the tree, pours the milkweed into a turtle shell and sifts it around. Finally he recognizes something in the shell that confirms that it is Simba, perhaps some stray pieces of fur?
This also explains how Rafiki was able to track down Simba's location. The fact that it was milkweed that blew from a certain direction indicates that Simba is located at a place where the plant is known to grow... Timon and Pumbaa's jungle. And maybe, judging from the age of the grass and where it blew from, he could of calculated which direction and how far away Simba was. After that he simply had to find clues lying around (scent trail, pawprints, etc) that led him closer and closer to Simba.
As for what he intended to do with the dusty "stuff" originally, well, he's Rafiki so 'nuff said lol :P[/quote]

Great post; I think that is pretty much spot on :)

[quote="QueenSummer"]But how would Rafiki remember Simba's scent that long.[/quote]

I think like Amanda said; he is Rafiki, and he is one crazy dude and just somehow was able to remember it :/.

[SummerSnowLeopard]

I suppose...

[Thegeni99]

lol

[SummerSnowLeopard]

Rafiki just knew, somehow. I think Simba was shedding, lol. Its a mystery...

[QueenRalexia]

I think it had to be he smelled Simba's scent and since it had been a while he thought Simba "Died"
so he realized that Simba must be alive.

[SummerSnowLeopard]

Yeah. Imagine all the suspicions that raised.

[iluvnala]

it probly had simbas scent

[Moka]

Add Amanda's post to the fact that baboons have an excellent, acute sense of smell, and I think ultimately it all makes sense.