Forest Guardians Chronicles: A Matter of Humanity by Beth Roose (i wanna iguana read aloud txt) 📕

the sky. They turned to see what it was; but nothing was visible in the crisp, clear ceiling of blue. As the last few tribesmen stumbled through the tree line, Cleg gathered everyone around in a close circle, cautious to any potential attacks that might arise.

“Everyone, I have called this urgent gathering because I sense that grave danger is nearing our territory.” He puffed his chest out and made direct contact with each individual gathered in the circle. “I believe that the Hornet Queen and her drones are planning to pay a visit.” The tribesmen gasped in fear at the name of the evil, dreadful and heartless queen. He waited as the rustling and mumbling ceased. “Now,” Cleg said in his most serious voice possible, “get to your shelters and stay inside for safety until the humming noise is gone. After the danger passes, we will meet at the gathering circle to come up with a plan of attack against the Hornet Queen. We must protect our territory. She knows no limits and will stop at nothing to obtain what her black heart desires.”

The sky was pitch black when the tribe gathered together again. Everyone from the tribe was present, perching themselves on thick logs that had fallen to the ground, crisscrossing in front of the fire or standing against the strong trees that were able to hold their large, hairy figures. As Cleg took his position in the center of the circle, visible to all, he cleared his throat and paused before speaking. His voice echoed through the silent night, “I have brought you all here tonight to inform you of the arrival of the Hornet Queen and her drones.” Loud whispers flooded the circle. Cleg continued, “It has been brought to my attention that the Hornet Queen’s sole purpose in life is to consume all of the precious and cherished resources in the Cuyahoga Valley National Park.” He paused, allowing for the information to settle in with everyone. In a voice barely higher than a whisper, he added, “She will destroy anything that gets in her way; humans, crops, insects, animals, and us.”

The Pukwudgie Tribe, who Cleg’s tribe was now allied with, had experience with battling the Hornet Queen and succeeded greatly in defeating her and her minion drones. Cleg was sure that they could help him and his tribe defeat her, too. “We will invite Zonga and the rest of the Pukwudgie Tribe to help us triumph over her. They are able to shape-shift, and this ability will help us defeat the Hornet Queen by allowing us to trick her. We will ask for Bev’s assistance, too. If we all work together, we can live safely, peacefully, and in harmony once again.”

Cleg ended the gathering by asking a few of the Hairy Man tribesmen to find Bev and Zonga and bring them to the gathering circle at sunrise to determine what would be the best approach in dealing with the Hornet Queen.

The next morning arrived and it was still dark out when Cleg stirred in his shelter. He sat up and looked at Bitty and his wife, Ja’al, admiring their cozy state of sleep. He got up from his bed and quietly shuffled outside, admiring the watercolor sunrise that filled the sky with the most incredible shades of orange and red. As Cleg reached his hands over his head, stifling a yawn, he stopped quickly when he heard a twig snap behind him. Whipping his head around in search of danger, the Chief of the Hairy Man Tribe quickly diffused his attack stance just as Bev emerged from the azalea bushes.

She stopped for just a moment and leaned her nose into a delicate, yellow flower on the shrub. She inhaled deeply and closed her eyes, enjoying the scent that danced through her nostrils. Straightening up and adopting a grin on her face, she walked over to greet Cleg. As she reached out her hand with her palm facing upwards, it revealed three marbles she had brought as a gift for Bitty. Cleg accepted them gratefully, speaking in a quick gibberish in response. Although she was not able to understand his exact words, Bev knew he was appreciative of her kind gesture.

Suddenly, a brilliant light broke down from the sky above and bathed the pair in a blinding light. Covering her eyes from the brightness of the light, Bev tried to adjust her eyes so she could see where it was coming from. Cleg squinted and was able to make out the familiar outline of Princess Celia as her light faded when her feet reached the dew-filled ground.

Cleg reached his hand out to greet the princess; and when she put her hand in his, Cleg’s hand glowed and sparkled at her touch. Bev admired in amazement, and Princess Celia reached out her other hand to Bev. As with Cleg, a sparkling light glowed in Bev’s hand when the princess made contact.

The glowing light in their hands connected the three of them and allowed them to communicate in each other’s minds. Bev was incredibly surprised that she could understand Cleg as he explained to the princess that the Hornet Queen and her twelve drones had invaded their territory.

Bev asked Cleg, “Will my crops be destroyed by the Hornet Queen?”

Cleg responded, “It’s a possibility, but we are going to try and not let that happen. We hope to stop her before she causes too much damage.”

Princess Celia gave Bev’s hand a reassuring squeeze as Cleg revealed the plan to both of them. He told them he needed the help of Zonga and his Tribe of Pukwudgie since they could shape-shift into other forms which would allow them to trick the Hornet Queen and lure her away from the crops and to the clearing so they could attack her. They needed Bev to make corn circles in the cornfields that would attract the Hornet Queen and her drones.

Princess Celia, shaking her head back and forth, said, “It will be