Before dawn the chimpanzee woke up to get something done at home. He took the path that leads to the field where they train, on reaching there he decided to defecate somewhere but he could not do it openly because the place was wide with short grasses. He went into the bush where he couldn’t be seen. Going the direction the chimpanzee usually take when going to search for herbs and poisons like he professed. As he entered, he perceived an odor, he wanted to ignore it but it smelled of a decayed flesh than feces or fruits. He went deeper into the bush to find out, to his greatest surprise he saw something abominable. In Greenwoods it was if was forbidden to let blood touch the soil if not the ones dripping from wounds accidentally. Birds and rodents were killed there and chopped. It looked like some carnivorous animal fed on them. Who else could have done this if not Fox? for he had never seen him eating grass, not even when everyone is happily eating together. He’d actually killed those creatures and ate them. He turned back to the palace to see the gorilla for it.
An elk that was in charge of Fox’s chamber told them that Fox went out last night, telling them that he’s going to the warrior quarters and may spend a night there. So while they were about leaving the palace, one of the warder officer ran to them reporting that the rhino was poisoned with some warders that ate with him last-night and now they are lying dead.
It was a very shocking news, and sad as well. King’s heart was heavy with fury. He ordered the cooks be brought to him and it was so. He interrogated them fiercely on how the food served to the warders got poisoned and who was involved.
They all denied it. They led the king and those around to show them what they prepared last-night. The one kept for the warriors which they later did not eat. Reaching there, they saw that dead insects littered everywhere in the kitchen. It was obvious that the food was poisoned right from the kitchen and it must be the cooks.
“Make them eat it!” the king commanded the male servants. Bara suggested they lock them up and carefully investigate the matter before finally deciding. It was a good idea however the gorilla adopted it and gave orders according to it.
“So we would have lost all those warriors in the quarters if they had ate the food last-night” the chimp wondered. “But who could have done such a nasty thing and why?”
They kept tracing to know where the cause came. At a point the investigation suddenly turned into a mobilized search, for Fox was not seen since daybreak. It was more than serious. Fox already became the suspect. But nobody could tell where and how to get him.
“Your highness, there’s something I am thinking” the giraffe said.
“what’s that?”
“It’s very perceptible to notice Bara’s hatred towards Fox. Hatred can compel one to do anything nasty. And whoever wants to do such will take time to plan it so that when executed it will look real and hard to trace”
“What are you saying in essence?”
“Don’t you think the chimp planned all these to get rid of Fox?”
“How could you have thought so bad about him? After all my meetings with him and my words to him?”
“He frequent your palace to get your trust so that he starts his work and also stand by him when all these begins. Don’t you get that? Has he been coming here that frequent if not as all these started happening?”
“I still don’t think he can do that”
“consider what he’s saying your highness. It’s very obvious. Don’t be blindfolded” some animals with them supported
“Ok remember, there was a time I heard he skip training. What is it he skip it for? What did he do those days? Where did he go? He must have been poisoning the mind of those youths that disappears with him. Your highness I have always known that Chimpanzee is up to something. It’s possible he killed those animals in the bush, poisoned the rhino and the food for the warriors because they are not on his side then hid Fox some where to make it look as if he did all these and ran away”
The elephant talked to the king to consider them so that it doesn’t look like he ignored them in a time like this. The king really felt reluctant. If he should consider them, when do they expect he do? The spoke shortly spoke to the elephant privately and left. Maybe he’s told the deputy what to do or he asked him to handle the situation by himself.
“Remember, you will be treated double the way he’s treated if after all he is vindicated”
“We didn’t ask you do to him anything. We are only saying what you on your own should have thought about. However we are not sure he did it but…”
“I have heard you. It’s enough for now. Bara and his boys will be charged now while we still investigate this”
“Large one remember I have not done bad saying this”
“Long one, you expect nothing other than what I am doing. I will lock him in the dungeon with out food, air and light, together with his boys. So go home and wait for the truth to come out”
They sent for the chimpanzee and his followers. They brought them to him. The elephant said what he heard but did not give the chimp time to argue or explain. He was not ready to start bothering his head with arguments. But he did something that the king was pleased with. Which was throwing the giraffe into the cell along with the accused. But it was no longer in the dungeon like he said. But almost. Giraffe and his own supporters were kept separately because they know there will be war if the match them together. But they could hear voices from the next room. The quarreled and made threats from both sides.
The day to go redeem the agreement the gorilla had with the lion was in two days. He had planned that it was going to be violent and not peaceful but this incidence has interfered with it. Most of the youths are with the chimp in the cell. Each one of them would have had some ways to contribute to the mission but now how will they? they won’t go to war with them for that, and so the possibility of them defeating is limited. Unless his subjects says they should be pardoned for the sake of the battle. But this is too much to overlook. They have to investigate deeply. It was the worst crime in the history. poisoning half a community.
“I suggest we let them join us fight this battle. They will be at the war front. If they are guilty, their evil will kill them but I believe before that they must have contributed a lot” Elephant said. He’s is trying to see that king’s hope is restored.
“Wisdom!” secretly exclaimed “first thing first. Let’s try what he said”
“This is more serious than you think. The land is not to be played with” the oldest animal reminded.
While they were still arguing over that, a rabbit ran in panting and crying. His ears were cut off.
“What is it?” they inquired.
“its Fox, the long-mouthed stranger. He betrayed us. He’s not who he claimed he was. He’s not from Dew-rocks. He’s from Skull-land. He said he poison all the strong youths. Is it true?” He asked crying more.
“He did. But only the warder officers died'
“Oh!!” he felt sorrowful but still thankful that it did not go the way Fox planned it. “He said he’s been feeding on flesh and not vegetation. He also said they will invade our land when he gets home”
They were quiet for awhile. Was this a plan? Or is he telling the truth? How are they to believe or doubt this? It’s very complicated.
“What happened to your ears?”
“He ate them”
“Only your ear?”
“Yes he took one other rodent with him. He spared me so I can deliver his message to you”
“where have you been since then?”
“He tied me to a tree so that I don’t follow him secretly. I was saved by someone who lost his way into the bush otherwise I would still be there dying”
“I think he should join them there too” Jim the oldest animal suggested after listening to the rabbit and not believing him.
“I disagree. No one will allow his ears be removed just to make a case like this look real. I am releasing all the youths. As for the giraffe, he will remain there”
The elephant was just saying and acting the way the gorilla wanted it. He has practically become the king mouthpiece since he could not say anything in other not to be seen as a selfish king. That, he’s doing it for the sake of his son. The elephant did as he said.
Whoever that heard what happened that day comes to see. The palace was virtually crowded if not that they come and go. Most elders remained there since morning.
“I have always known that this stranger is up to something. The chimp said this earlier. I sensed it too. But I didn’t know it will happen this soon. He was coming with the purpose to destroy my kingdom. I pray we’ll meet again….” The king swore. He was with the queen.