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Royal Trouble In The Animal Kingdom

by Gregory Wilkey

292 pages; quality trade paperback (softcover); catalogue #02-0752; ISBN 1-55395-038-0; US$24.50, C$28.86, EUR20.00, £14.00

The unforgettable story of Eranimal, a world ruled by animals, and how one creature nearly destroyed the entire animal kingdom. For ages 9-13.

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about the book      about the author      sample excerpt      catalogue info

About the Book Welcome to Eranimal, the secret world that exists among the trees, beneath the flowers, in the skies and waters. A world filled with splendid creatures and magnificent kingdoms; a realm that human eyes are not privy to see, but it exists nonetheless. Powerful kings, wise emperors, and noble queens flourish in Eranimal. The inhabitants of this place coexist peacefully, but there was a time when that peace was threatened. There was a time when all hope was nearly lost. Imagine six ruling families. Imagine six powerful leaders: King Palo of the Lions, Emperor Rook of the Penguins, Queen Beatrix of the Bees, Queen Mag of the Ants, King Posso of the Butterflies, and King Bambu of the Cobras. Each of these monarchs leading their realms with the authority based on their claim to six ancient crowns. Now, imagine a serpent in this paradise. Not really a serpent, but rather a monkey. His name is Monon. Jealous and hungry for power, Monon plots to destroy the Royal Families of Eranimal. Chaos ensues and the six kingdoms begin to crumble. Watch and learn as the animal citizens rally their resources to return peace and harmony to the realms. Gasp as secret plots and treason unfold before your eyes. Cheer as new heroes surface in the battle to save Eranimal from its enemies. Journey into a world filled with adventure and clashes between good and evil. This is the story of the royal trouble that nearly destroyed the animal kingdom.

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About the Author Gregory Wilkey is an educator and an author. He currently teaches Foreign Languages at a public middle school in Southeast Tennessee. He has been married for 9 years to his wife, Alicyn, who is also a teacher. As of now, they live in a charming little bungalow with their two cats. His love for animals and his interest in world history led to the creation of his story, Royal Trouble in the Animal Kingdom. When Gregory is not teaching or writing, he enjoys reading, watching movies, and traveling with his wife. Gregory Wilkey's second book The Queen of the Ants: Book Two in the Tales of the Animal Kingdom is now available. Please click on this link to learn more about Book Two. The Queen of the Ants: Book Two in the Tales of the Animal Kingdom.

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Sample Excerpt

CHAPTER ONE
THE REBEL AMONG THEM

Everyone knew that the primates were mischievous, but no one ever considered them to be a threat to the kingdom. Every primate in the jungle was loyal and dedicated to maintaining the laws set forth by King Palo. The lions ruled this kingdom and rarely were they questioned. It wasn't until the Day of Recognition that a darker, more sinister side of the primates made its debut.

The jungle had been in a state of thrilled frenzy all morning. Creatures from every corner of the realm hurried about in preparation for the big event about to take place. Everyone hurried, except one.

"Monon!" a sharp, high pitched voice yelled. "Are you planning on coming down today or not?"

The long, brown body that had been draped all morning across two thick, leaf- covered branches of the tree twitched slightly before responding. "Mother, I have already told you that I refuse to celebrate those lions anymore!"

"Hush yourself this instant!" Monon's mother responded quickly. "It is disrespectful, not to mention a crime, to speak against the Royal Family."

Monon stood slowly and stretched out his long arms to grab a vine. "I have no fear of them," he said as he lowered himself down to the ground, "and neither should you."

"I honestly don't understand you. What is it about the king and queen that you dislike so much?" his mother asked him.

Monon step closer to his mother. His eyes narrowing as he spoke, "I don't trust them. I don't believe they have a rightful claim to the throne." Monon turned to walk away, but stopped and looked back at his mother. "And you know that I am not alone. There are many animals who feel the same way I do."

Monon's mother shook her head. "I don't place much value on anything that those low class friends of yours have to say. I wish you would listen more to your family rather than that common trash you hang out with."

Monon smiled. "Mother, you have no idea what you are talking about. I haven't been around those clowns for years. You see, that shows how much you know about your son. I am talking about King Bambu, the King Cobra. He is very much opposed to the House of Lions."

The mention of Bambu's name sent waves of horror up Monon's mother's spine. "I don't want you going anywhere near that monster. Do you hear me?"

"Oh, mother," Monon gasped, pretending to be shocked. "Are you speaking out against a member of a Royal House? I thought that was illegal."

It was pointless to argue with Monon, and his mother knew this. She simply chose to walk away, hoping that he would come to his senses and join the rest of the family for the celebration. "Mother," Monon shouted from behind her. "I will come with you, but I won't follow their rules."

Monon and his mother met the other primates as they were making their way towards the Royal Den. "Do you have the invitation?" Monon's mother asked her husband.

"I have it right here," he responded, holding up his paw to show the folded piece of paper.

"Can I see it?" a smaller, female monkey asked. "What does it say?"

"Here, take it, but don't lose it or we won't be able to get past the lionesses."

The young monkey took the paper and quickly unfolded it. Her eyes open wide as she began to read the elaborate writing:

Their Majesties King Palo and Queen Leona Request the Honor of Your Presence at the DAY OF RECOGNITION Honoring Their Children, Prince Kaan and Princess Mari.

"Wow, this is too cool. A real invitation from the king and queen!"

"You can't be serious," Monon said, then groaned as he rolled his eyes. "Who cares about a stupid invitation from them?"

Monon's father turned and pointed a long, dark brown finger in Monon's face. "I have had just about enough of you and your rotten attitude. Your sister is very excited about today, as am I, your mother, and the rest of the jungle. You ask us all the time to respect your opinions. Well, we expect the same from you."

Monon and his father stood silent and motionless for several seconds. Finally, Monon spoke in a desperate attempt to break the standoff. "Fine. Let's just get this over with so I can go back to my branch and go to sleep."

The trees and tall grasses began to thin as the primate family stepped out into a clearing that led up to the Royal Den of King Palo. Rows of lionesses stood on each side of the path. Their heads held high; their eyes carefully watching every move that anyone made. "I haven't seen this much security in a long time, "Monon's mother said as she placed her arm around her daughter. "Let's try to get as close as possible to the front. I want to see everything I can."

The crowd of animals was amazing as the primates made their way towards the Royal Den that projected from the side of a mountain high above the thickness of the jungle floor. The movement and the noise of the crowd became more intense as the time for the ceremony drew closer. Finally, King Palo stepped out of the den and peered down on the gathering of his most loyal subjects. Cheers erupted from the crowd upon seeing their king. Palo smiled in approval before he spoke.

"My fellow jungle citizens, it is with great pleasure that my wife, Leona, and I welcome you to the Day of Recognition." Behind the king, Queen Leona and the two royal cubs appeared from the opening of the den. Leona walked and stood beside her husband. She smiled at him and then turned to motion for their children.

"Come forward and be recognized," the queen spoke softly to her son and daughter. "Come and see the faces of your future subjects."

Prince Kaan jumped and scampered with excitement to the edge of the rock platform that held his parents, his eyes wide with anticipation. He had been waiting for this day since he was very young cub. His sister, Mari, walked slowly and gracefully and stood just behind her mother. Mari was the opposite of her brother. She was calm and showed little interest in royal duties. She would have been just fine sitting all day under the sun, daydreaming.

"Silence," King Palo said, then he roared above the crowd. He waited until the noise and movement in the mass of animals below him stopped before he spoke again. "According to the ancient laws and traditions of my family, I will officially crown my children as legal heirs to my throne. The Day of Recognition has been celebrated by the Jungle Kingdom since the first ruling lion crowned his children. History tells us that the first king lion, Leopold the Fierce, established the ritual of recognizing any royal cub upon the date of their tenth birthday. As you know, my two children celebrated their tenth birthday yesterday."

Kaan and Mari nodded their heads in agreement as their father continued his speech. "Therefore, in accordance with the Royal Laws of this kingdom, I proclaim my children as the future rulers of this realm."

Palo turned and faced his children, his mighty paws planted firmly apart as he smiled. Queen Leona stepped forward and leaned her head against Palo's thick, dark brown mane. Her eyes filled with tears of pride in her children. Prince Kaan was the first to respond to the cheers and thunderous applause coming from the jungle floor. He lowered his head and bowed before his parents before he leapt down to the emerald green grass that covered the ground. Princess Mari followed her brother by mimicking his actions. The king and queen watched as their children mingled among the mass of on-lookers. This was a glorious day for every citizen of the jungle.

"I think I am going to be sick," Monon said quietly under his breath as his family moved forward in the receiving line to greet the prince and princess. "This is the most ridiculous display of pomp and circumstance I have ever seen."

Monon's parents stopped and tried to calm themselves before responding to their son. "Look," his father said as he turned to face Monon, "I have had just about enough. I have never understood your disdain for the king and queen."

"You know very well what my problem is," Monon said. "I don't believe that the lions legally possess the crown. I know that the primates should be leading the jungles. We are smarter, stronger, and better suited to rule."

"Monon, please," his mother whispered. "Keep your voice down. If someone hears you, you'll be arrested."

"You honestly think I care what those idiots think? I am through walking around on eggshells in fear of Palo and his family. If you would listen to me, you might be queen right now instead of that lioness."

"That's it! I am finished listening to you," Monon's father shouted. "If you can't show the proper respect for the royal family, I would prefer that you just go home. We'll finish this conversation later."

Monon stepped quietly out of line. "That's fine with me," he said. "I didn't want to come anyway."

"Good," his father spoke with his back to his son. "We'll see you at home."

Monon turned and began walking away from the crowd. Several other monkeys and animals moved aside as he stepped through the gathered groups of animals. Monon kept his head down, refusing to make eye contact with anyone. He stopped only once to respond to a tiger that had bumped into him.

"Watch where you're going, old fool," Monon yelled disrespectfully. "Are you blind or something?"

"Hey, don't bite my head off just because you're mad at your family, Monon," the tiger said, then growled. "It's your own fault you know."

"How do you know my name?" Monon asked.

"Everybody knows you. Everybody knows how you feel. I'm just glad you're not my son," the tiger said as he turned to join the line.

Monon continued to walk away, mumbling to himself under his breath. "If anyone doesn't know me, they soon will," he said with a slight grin on his face. "The time has come for me to make my mark on the Animal Kingdom."

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Catalogue Information

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