8. The Li-Mon-Eags Make Trouble

           TherehadbeentroubleintheForestofGuguthatmorning.ChipotheWildBoarhadbittenthetailoffArxtheGiraffewhilethelatterhadhisheadamongtheleavesofatree,eatinghisbreakfast.ArxkickedwithhisheelsandstruckTirrip,thegreatKangaroo,whohadanewbabyinherpouch.TirripknewitwastheWildBoar’sfault,sosheknockedhimoverwithonepowerfulblowandthenranawaytoescapeChipo’ssharptusks.InthechasethatfollowedagiantporcupinestuckfiftysharpquillsintotheBoarandachimpanzeeinatreethrewacocoanutattheporcupinethatjammeditsheadintoitsbody.

           AllthiswasagainsttheLawsoftheForest,andwhentheexcitementwasover,GugutheLeopardKingcalledhisroyalCounselorstogethertodecidehowbesttopunishtheoffenders.

           Thefourlordsoftheforestwereholdingsolemncouncilinasmallclearingwhentheysawtwostrangebeastsapproachingthem—beaststhelikeofwhichtheyhadneverseenbefore.

           Notoneofthefour,however,relaxedhisdignityorshowedbyamovementthathewasstartled.ThegreatLeopardcrouchedatfulllengthuponafallentree-trunk.BrutheBearsatonhishaunchesbeforetheKing;RangotheGrayApestoodwithhismusculararmsfolded,andLootheUnicornreclined,muchasahorsedoes,betweenhisfellow-councillors.Withoneconsenttheyremainedsilent,eyeingwithsteadfastlookstheintruders,whoweremakingtheirwayintotheirforestdomain.

           "Wellmet,Brothers!"saidoneofthestrangebeasts,comingtoahaltbesidethegroup,whilehiscomradewithhesitationlaggedbehind.