Forest Guardians Chronicles: A Matter of Humanity Beth Roose (good books for high schoolers TXT) 📖

difficult, but I believe it can work. Zonga and his tribe will be instrumental in driving the Hornet Queen and her drones out of the Cuyahoga Valley National Park.”

Princess Celia and Cleg could both feel Bev’s fear radiating off her body. Cleg turned to her, and she instantly felt love, comfort, and calmness wash over her. He communicated to her mind and said, “Your part of the plan will be an instrumental beginning to the plan, but it will not put you in any danger.” Bev nodded in agreement and gave Cleg a soft, trusting smile to the large hairy creature.

Princess Celia smiled to both of them, “Let’s get to the clearing and explain our plan to Zonga and his tribe, as well as the rest of your tribe, Cleg. I believe our plan will help us restore peace to the park and its inhabitants.”

2

Light Voice Translation

The clearing was warm with the morning sun. Zonga and two of his Pukwudgie tribesmen sat at the far end of the clearing along with Cleg and the rest of his Hairy Man Tribe.

Bitty ran over to Bev when she spotted her, and they embraced each other in a tight hug. Bitty took Bev’s hand and guided her to the tree stump next to her mother, Ja’al. She jumped in Bev’s lap; and while waiting for the meeting to begin, they chatted quietly about the marbles Bev had kindly gifted Bitty.

As Cleg and Princess Celia headed to the center of the clearing, Princess Celia noticed Zonga and strode over to greet him. She extended her arm straight out toward him, releasing a white ball of sparkling light that gracefully floated toward him. He extended his arm so that the ball of light could land gently into his hand. Once the ball of light made its arrival into Zonga’s palm, the princess and he could speak freely with each other.

Zonga remembered how surprised he felt the first time he was gifted with the light of understanding. With this glowing ball, the language barrier between the tribes became obsolete, uniting everyone as a whole. Princess Celia continued around the circle, giving the light of understanding to all so that everyone could communicate with one another.

Cleg explained the plan in detail. He told the group that first, Bev would cut circles in the cornfields. Then, the Pukwudgie tribesmen would shape-shift into hornet queens in the hope of deceiving the real Hornet Queen and her minion drones. The tribesmen would then attempt to lure evil ones away from the cornfields and over to the clearing where Cleg and his tribe would be waiting, ready for battle. He assigned each member in his tribe a designated spot. Everyone understood that they were to wait for the Hornet Queen’s arrival and then begin the attack to defeat her.

Bev seemed to struggle with her part of the plan. She felt the weight and magnitude of her role become heavier as each person received their instructions.

Just as Cleg began to talk with Zonga and his two Pukwudgie tribesmen, Bev began to cry quiet sobs. Bitty wrapped both arms around her neck and gave her a reassuring hug. She looked up into Bev’s eyes and gently wiped her tears away. As she peered down at Bitty, Bev found that she was grateful for the warmth and comfort from a friend. The two of them had a special bond that Bev cherished dearly.

Princess Celia walked over and put her hand on Bev’s shoulder; and suddenly, a light bathed over her. All of the fear that Bev was feeling instantly left as Princess Celia spoke warmly, saying, “You will never be alone in your part of the plan. Freda the Great Blue Heron will be there to fly over you and keep watch. Bitty and her mother will be close by, as well.” Ja’al let out a soft whoop to show her support, and the rest of the tribe followed suit.

Princess Celia continued, “Your role in the plan will ensure that we are able to lure the Hornet Queen and her drones into the cornfields so that we can get them to the clearing where Cleg and his tribesmen will be waiting for the attack. You are important, as is everyone else here. All will be well.” Bev gazed into the princess’s eyes with a reassuring glow, feeling a bubble of confidence brewing inside of her.

One of Zonga’s tribeswomen, named KiKi, got up and started walking toward Bev. As she did, she quickly shape-shifted into a Hornet Queen. There was a thunderous growl and roar from the Hairy Man Tribe as they all stood up, ready to attack. Cleg let out an explosive growl and told his tribe, “STOP!”

Bev felt Cleg’s thunderous growl roll through her insides, vibrating her entire being. Cleg’s tribe was surprised, and everyone stood as still as a statue. “Please sit back down and let Zonga explain,” he said.

Zonga moved to the center of the clearing and stood between Cleg and Princess Celia as KiKi approached, shape-shifting back into her Pukwudgie shape. Zonga explained, “This is how we will defeat the Hornet Queen. We will disguise ourselves as hornet queens in order to trick her, allowing us to attack her and her minion drones. This is the only way to take her down.”

Everyone stood with a roar of excitement, fully understanding what they had to do. Bev jumped up and clapped, feeling a bit nervous but more confident than ever before. Bitty was uncertain of what was happening and clung to Bev’s legs, a bit fearful of what was to come next.

Cleg signaled the tribespeople to sit down and listen to further details from Zonga. The Hairy Man Tribe and Bev were quiet and listened with great interest and intensity. Once he was finished, Princess Celia asked, “Zonga, do you think the Hornet Queen would ever consider a peace treaty?”

Zonga paused for a long moment and then replied, “She would agree; however, she tends not to keep her word as