Scarcely six months after their epic adventure in The Hyrax Song, Journee and her friends find themselves on a hunt for the mysterious Zoe-Chai seed. The legendary tale of this seed had been kept alive for generations in the grasshopper world. Legend said that if planted, the seed could feed the entire kingdom and neighboring locust army forever. But where could they find it? And more impossibly, where could they plant it in the perfect location and under the perfect conditions with just a week until the required full moon and rare alignment of the celestial planets: Alzar, Tupa, Zader and Mias?
No matter how daunting the quest, Journee and her friends are ready to crack ancient riddles and sleuth out answers, no matter how dangerous the task becomes. There is only one thing certain in this adventure. It will be a test of courage, loyalty, sacrifice, and resolve.
This adventure story is inspired by the Biblical Proverb 11:25 (NKJV) and communicates the morals of sacrificial love, and the exceedingly rich life of a generous soul.
Proceeds from book sales support emergency famine relief for infants and children! Find out more at www.basketfulreliefproject.com
The Zoe-Chai Seed is book 3 in The Pearls of Wisdom Series. I currently have four books. Each book is inspired by a Biblical Proverb which is listed in the front of the book. With the Proverb as a foundation, the books are a creative adventure fable for ages tweens and up.
As a result of a surprising mishap, Mr. Steed, a powerful horse and faithful companion to the mouse princess, Journee, is caught up high in a tree. Studying the ancient riddle of the Zoe-Chai Seed, each companion had to sacrifice something dear to them to rescue him.
Chapter 6
The King’s Gift
Journee abruptly woke to cheers from below. She noticed Mr. Steed was sleeping, still awkwardly straddling the tree branch, with Mr. Hopper on his back also sound asleep. The sun was bright, and it looked later than she would like for it to have been.
Looking down to the tree base, she saw that Mr. Badger, Mr. Dassie, and Mr. Toad were jumping up and down, cheering, hugging each other, and pointing.
“What is it?” Journee called down.
“Princess Journee, look. They are arriving. The eagles!” they exclaimed together.
Journee hopped to the top of the tree and looked eastward. Sure enough, she could make out mere dots in the air, but they were unmistakable. In no time, the dots took on form with large wings, graceful in flight and fast. Two splendid eagles were headed straight towards the Grassy Knoll Lookout. Journee’s heart jumped with hope and joy.
She scampered down to Mr. Steed to wake him and tell him the good news.
Neighhh! whinnied Mr. Steed. “The eagles arrived, did you say? That is good news. My back won’t take this awkward straddle much longer.” Mr. Steed snorted and shook his head, his long mane in disarray and fl opping over his eyes.
Mr. Hopper was awake now too and joined the cheering as the eagles swiftly landed on the grassy knoll, dropping off Mr. Owl and the
king. Mission accomplished, the eagles nodded regally before taking flight. They vanished as quickly as they arrived.
“Oh, Papa!” Journee exclaimed as she bounced nimbly from limb to limb down the tree and into her father’s arms.
“There, there, my daughter. We will make this right and all will be well,” the king replied to Journee, comforting her as he stroked her head.
“You did it, Mr. Owl!” Journee said, now greeting him with a big kiss on his forehead. Whoo-hoo! “Did you think I wouldn’t, Princess Journee?” he said, eyes wide with excitement. “I had the good fortune of running into one of the kingdom eagles on my way to the castle. He in turn called another. The eagle escort to the palace and back here to the Grassy Knoll Lookout with the king took half the usual time.”
All rejoiced.
“My dear Mr. Steed,” the king called up to his valiant horse, “how are you doing?”
Neighhh! whinnied Mr. Steed. “I have been better, my dear king. How do you propose to get me down from this lofty perch? I would not mind some tasty grass for a bit of breakfast.”
“We will find a way, my friend,” the king replied. He then hopped into action.
“Daughter,” the king said, turning to Journee. “Mr. Owl has told me all your adventures to date. May I have a look at the scroll from the Pond of Reflection?”
“Yes, Papa, here it is.”
The king took it and spread it carefully on the grass to inspect the riddle, while Journee, Mr. Toad, Mr. Dassie, and Mr. Badger all gathered around.
The king was lost in thought until he nodded before saying, “Ah!”
“What have you discovered, Papa?” Journee asked.
In reply, the king read the ancient text aloud.
Though my gift is plentiful,
my gift is not free.
In return for my bounty,
what can you give me?
Remember, if I let you find me,
It means you are all you ought to be.
Generous, noble, loyal, and kind—
A waterer of many in
heart, soul, and mind.
The king turned to the others and asked
them, “To save Mr. Steed, what are you willing to give in return for his life?”