KING’S TOOTH BRINGS NEW ADVENTURE

By Ruth Plumly Thompson
Author of The Lost King of Oz, "The Wizard of Pumperdink," "King, King! Double King!" etc.

Originally published in the Oregon Sunday Journal, February 15, 1920.

 

 

Once upon a time the king of the forest lost his best tooth. A tooth is a very important possession of a king, and old Leo dared not roar or smile in the presence of his subjects, because once they missed that sharp tooth they would plot for his downfall.

 

The old lion thought and thought, and at last resolved to consult Abner Elephant, one of his most trusted friends, and get his advice. The house of Mr. and Mrs. Elephant, with whom Uncle Abner lived, was in the deepest part of the jungle, and the whole family was thrown into a flutter by the unexpected visit from the king.

 

Oliver Elephant, Uncle Abner’s little nephew, was sent straight to bed because the king explained that he had come upon a very secret mission.

 

The king looked anxiously all around to be sure no one was listening. Then in an agitated whisper he told them of the loss of his sharpest tooth. He could remember nothing about it, he said, but waking up in the morning and finding it gone.

 

“If you can find it for me I shall give you the freedom of the forest and a royal talisman to protect you from every beast in the jungle,” said the king.

 

Uncle Abner did what he could to comfort his royal majesty, and promised to search diligently for the missing tooth. So the king returned to his castle greatly encouraged.

 

Now I know Oliver Elephant was supposed to be asleep. But what little boy, elephant or human, is going to sleep with a king sitting in the parlor? Oliver, I am sorry to say, put his big ear to the floor and heard the whole story.  He resolved himself to find the king’s tooth and win the freedom of the jungle.

 

Next day instead of going to school Oliver went off under a tree and sat down to think.

 

Of course, one thing was sure. It was impossible for Oliver to go to the king’s palace without disclosing his purpose. But he went to the end of the gate and looked reflectively into the monarch’s private drinking pool, which was just outside. No one was in sight and the water was so clear and tempting that Oliver resolved to have a swim. A big sign stood on the edge of the pool stating clearly:

 

“King’s pool. All trespassing forbidden under penalty of fine and imprisonment.”

 

But Oliver decided to take one plunge and come right out. Down, down, down he dived, then gave a gurgle of pain. Something had stuck in his trunk. He rose to the surface and clambered crossly out on the bank.

 

Then he gave a squeal of surprise. For there stuck in his trunk was—what do you ’spose? The king’s tooth! He clapped it into his pocket and was just about to start off when two of the palace guards seized him and hustled him into the king’s presence.

 

The king was holding court---talking out of one side of his mouth so his missing tooth would not be seen. But when he heard that Oliver had dared to swim in his drinking pool he gave a roar of anger. Then, clapping his paw over his mouth, and gazing around anxiously, he ordered Oliver to be turned out of the jungle.

 

“If it wasn’t for your Uncle Abner I’d have you made into chowder!” he shouted sideways. Oliver was terribly frightened, but begged to speak to the monarch alone, saying he had a message from his uncle.

 

The king looked at him sharply, then waved his subjects out.

 

“Your majesty,” said Oliver, regaining his courage, “walking on the edge of your pool this morning I was attracted by something white shining on the bottom. Looking closer I saw that it was—” (the king began to tremble with nervousness).

 

“What?” he asked weakly.

 

“Your majesty’s peerless tooth!” said Oliver, producing it from his pocket with a great flourish. “At great risk to myself I recovered it and am here to claim the reward.”

 

The king was so delighted to get his tooth again that he forgot to ask Oliver how he had heard of his loss. Pulling a small gold ring from his robe he tied it on a piece of red string around Oliver’s neck, and after that none of the jungle animals dared so much as growl at the little jungle boy, for he possessed the king’s talisman of protection. As for the king, he had his tooth soldered in and, although he could not chew on that side, his subjects never discovered it and, as far as I know, he is still monarch of the jungle.

 

 

Originally published in the Philadelphia Public Ledger, January 5, 1919.

A War in Supposyville

In windy winter
When the snow
Covers the roofs
And roads below;

When trees in icy
Armor stand,
And ponds are frozen
Out of hand,

One can expect
At any minute—
A war—their Majesties
Begin it!

No wonder you’re surprised!
A war
In that quaint realm—
Whatever for?

And ’tis a real war.
No one know
When to expect
The wily foes.

The Kingdom in
Two camps divides,
And drills and
Ammunition hides.

Then suddenly and
Without warning
Issue the King and Court
Some morning

With shields and pails
Of ammunition,
Then flies each man
To his position.

Each lad and lassie,
Every one—
And that’s the way
The war’s begun.

A royal, raging,
High-pitched battle,
While trumpets blow
And drumsticks rattle.

With charges, rushes,
Falls and tumbles;
With everything ’cept
Cannon rumbles.

A SNOWBALL WAR
Most fast and furious,
But not the slightest
Bit injurious.

And when the victors
From the field
Have chased the vanquished,
Peace is sealed.

And all march home
With rosy cheeks,
To laugh and talk
For several weeks.

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