The crowned one of Greenwoods who could never accommodate a stranger in his kingdom had some creature he knows nothing about spend a night in his palace. His head was so occupied that he totally forgot about him and someone had to remind him.
“Bring him here” He commanded. It was in the morning when the meeting was still going on. The meeting was held according to the discussion the king had with his deputy last-night. But they were failed since no one could step out with a perfect idea.
The stranger was brought forth to the elders for proper introduction and more. He stared at faces like a confused chicken chased out of a cage at night.
“What did you say is your name again?”
“Fox” The fox said looking so humble and pitiful. The gorilla nodded in approval.
“Yesterday we didn’t finish what we needed to know about you. I assumed you were too fatigued for that so I have to show you some hospitality. Now I can see how strong you look. You are certainly fit for anything now so, we have to proceed from where we stopped”
The stranger patiently answered all their questions one after another. He told them he was a strategist, son of the late Commander of Dew-rocks warriors who was equally the leader of the entire Kingdom since Dew-rocks was led by commanders. His father was murdered by his subordinates who were jealous of his position, to take his place but the fix was another barrier to achieving the aims for as it was traditionally stated, a male son must succeed his father in any position. Therefore he became their next target. They desperately hunted him so as to get rid of him. So he had to run for his life. Dew-rocks or anywhere close was not safe to take refuge since no one had the power to stop the wickedness for they already took power in their hands and seemed to act above the law. He kept running as far as he could. He can’t tell how long the journey took but he was sure to have spend about seven nights outdoor before getting to Greenwoods.
Everyone listening to him saw his story very pathetic. Indeed every individual has a problem and so does every community. But at least Greenwoods is better for they hardly excavate problems from among themselves. That was disunity causing dispute considered stupid. The king has to now see how good and understanding his subjects were compared to communities he’s heard about.
“Are you staying here for now or you will continue to run?”
The fox hesitated as if to confirm if the place was safe for him before giving him a response.
“If I am welcomed”
“You don’t have to be anxious. We are peace loving animals. We can’t hurt you for no definite purpose. You run to us for safety and safety we shall grant to you, but….”
Everyone paid more attention to hear him. They all excepted to hear him say, ‘don’t betray us or pay our kind gesture with evil' but what he finally said was different. Even without warning the fox of that with his own senses he’s supposed to know that such act won’t be tolerated anywhere by anyone.
“I haven’t forgotten you said you are a strategist. I believe you have something to teach us for the time you will be staying with us”
“It will be my pleasure to do that, your highness” He regarded him as king for the first time.
The king called the chimpanzee and handed the fox to him telling him that he will be assisting him for as long as he’s in Greenwoods. He should show him things he needed to know and make sure things goes right. Bara accepted him and was ready to work with him.
“You are highly favored” the chimp told fox when they were together. For it never happened in Greenwoods that a stranger is accommodated not only with such hospitality but also with a promising position. A place was prepared in the palace where he stays and that made him closer to the king than anyone, that made it easier for him to always see the king and gradually conversations between the two became as free as of friends of the same class.
One day, they were strolling around the garden observing the beauty of nature and also appreciating the effort the workers have put in seeing that the palace still remains the community’s most awesome spot. They talked more about themselves, But the king had the chance to say more. From the history of Greenwoods to the present day. Things that’s happened, heroes, their achievements, and many others.
The gorilla liked the fox’s company because he knows that despite how close they happens to be he will never dream of taking him for granted and it was obvious how he show his fear and humility. The fox being a very curious animal, he asked questions on every little thing he sees. Just in two days he was able to know more than what a child born in Greenwoods for seven years would know. The king partly confided in him, telling him things, but few of what only Greenwoods citizens knows.
After hearing the recent issue of the prince being kidnapped to Skull-land and things that followed the incidence. The fox promised to help.
“Your highness, can I see all the powerful animals in this community?” fox demanded.
“I can call them to the palace if you want. Just tell me when you want to meet them”
“As soon as possible since you said there is no time to wait”
From fox request, the community’s toughest animals were gathered, and those they thought were fit for battle were selected and quarters were built for them not far from the palace so they could always stick together and not scattered all round the community. The reason was for them to be ready for any emergency or urgency. They go into the field to train and learn things warriors need to know. There were different training for different kinds of animals and there were some for all. It was not easy for some but they persevered. Their needs were taken care of by the king. They were not to go to their own house. Their family members can visit them from time to time to get them what they needed.
Fox who was supposed to work under the chimpanzee and seek his consent in whatever he does now has no regard for the chimp. He does things on his own since he had the approval of the king. The chimp could not warn him of that so that it doesn’t look as if he’s trying to intimidate him. It was certain that Fox knows he don’t like what he was doing but he doesn’t care.
King too doesn’t need chimp’s attention to decide anything. As long as For was there to execute his plans and orders he was satisfied. Same thing goes to his subjects, Fox became like the prince to them. They respected him and were getting too close to him because of his 'I know better’ kind of behavior he displays. Not too long he began feeling like the prince he was not. He discriminates and Feels so big to do somethings or see some kind officials but he usually make his excuses sound genuine. He only respected the gorilla, his family and some top elders.
The chimpanzee could no longer condone their behaviors any longer. There’s no one on his side, not even the warriors he was made head over them. He started feeling negatively about fox. Maybe he’s up to something or could it be for the fact he hated him now that such thoughts had to stream up? Anyway, whatever it is he feels or think about him, he must keep it to himself in other not to look fishy or suspicious.
“I don’t like him either” The prince's fiancée said. “ He likes coming close to me, and I know what that means”
“Is anyone aware of that?” the chimp asked
“Who will I tell?.. if I tell the queen she will smile over it and say it’s nothing. That he’s only trying to be friendly maybe because I’m close to the royal family. The chimp I don’t want to argue over anything now. I have told my uncle and will keep telling him”
“Have you warned him to stay away”
“Severally but he won’t listen. He’s very cunning”
At least the chimp was not the only one having that impression towards fox. He felt a bit settled. Now he can talk to more of those he trusted. Even if nothing is done there shall come a time he will stand to claim he complained to friends about fox. But why should he take it too serious? It may be fox’s normal character to be bossy and not that he really intended to hurt him or do anything bad. Every creature behaves differently. Anyone can be close to anyone. He’s free to like any female especially if he’s ignorant on who she is. But in the case of Greenwoods it’s not right for animals to be sexually connected to animals that are not their kind.
What should he do? Forget about him? Which he can’t for he’s apparently claiming his position for himself. He decided he would talk to him, if he does what he does for a mere ignorance, he will heed and change but if he is deliberately doing it then there’s no change expected. Bara talked to him but he refused to comply. He talked to some friends and elders but they shunned him saying he was jealous.