Jamie Scallion

The python slid away. Jose stared after him. Simon headed straight to the Lion’s Den, he was not feeling himself and felt he must rest but the president needed to hear of Old Baldy’s death. He found Rump once again gazing at himself in one of his many mirrors. Cover: Jessie Lock https://www.instagram.com/p/CHpHwcYDf_Y/?igshid=ojoqqocj5naw

Simon sneezed again, wiped his nose with his tail, and glared up at the Sereque. “I’m going to make it my life’s work to see you banished from this zoo.” Cover: Louis (at Austin, Texas) https://www.instagram.com/p/CHmgfDIj2ba/?igshid=1v29dxs92umlj

“The president is having his morning rest.” Simon said. “We saw him already,” said Jose. “He promised to help,” added Jacob. Jose stared down at his friend in confusion. “He promised no such thing, he fobbed us off and betrayed your trust.” “The president does not fob and he does not betray.” The snake sneezed suddenly all over the elephant. “Weren’t you taught to cover your nose when you sneeze?” Jose shouted down. Cover: Jessie Lock https://www.instagram.com/p/CHkBMlQjyB9/?igshid=1awovke5sfalh

Not much of a guide-rat, are you?” the snake sneered. “What a hilarious little snake you are,” said Jose. “Why are you here? You shouldn’t be here!” Simon said. “We came to see the president.” Cover: Alix https://www.instagram.com/p/CHhXc8SDlLs/?igshid=1owkaa3hyyv2i

Chapter 19 Jose watched the rhino disappear and then pulled on Jacob’s ear and they plodded out of the White Palace. Jose spotted the snake just in time. “Stop!”, he screamed, pulling back on the ears. They came to an abrupt halt, the elephant's left foot inches away from trampling the python. “Don’t you know he’s blind? You could have been killed!” Jose shouted down at the snake. Cover: Clare Fig https://www.instagram.com/p/CHexso-j-9r/?igshid=1cso05ef7x0d5

The rhino swung back at him. “You PHONY-TALKING RAT,” he bellowed. “How dare you come into my palace of work and blackmail me with this….this…. phony-RAT-talk. Go now Jacob and take your pet hat with you before I lock him up. Go now and perhaps I’ll forget this outrage,” said Rump, stalking back into the Lion Den. Cover: Jessie Lock (at Austin, Texas) https://www.instagram.com/p/CHcMvm1j-b8/?igshid=1g5gzxvdv0hqv

“No single vote gave me my victory, rat,” roared Rump. “I haven’t got time to fix everything, it takes a lot of time fixing all the things the big cats broke. Now go, I have to get back to making things great again.” The rhinoceros turned and started back toward his chamber. Jacob let out a long sad sigh. “Then I will be forced to tell every animal in this zoo that you have misled the Hero of Hearts and Horns,” Jose cried out. Cover: @jamiscant https://www.instagram.com/p/CHZoJA_DNMA/?igshid=u03g9zotb7mr

“Yes of course.” replied the elephant, despondently. “But, Mr President I don’t think you are right about José.” “Not of course,” interrupted José. “Without Jacob’s sacrifice, you would not be president and you would not be living in this luxurious palace. Jacob lost his sight and most of his hearing to accomplish your dream. All he is asking in return is a little clean water, some fresh straw and a roof for his shed. No more of your forked tongue, will you not help or not?” Rump’s expression thundered. Cover: The Ginger Duke https://www.instagram.com/p/CHXET-EjIvI/?igshid=1zkhg1jlo6w8

“Jacob, you blunder in here with a rat on your head demanding I fix your leaky roof. I’ve already done so so much for this zoo. I’m the best president it’s ever had. What do you want? For me to move out so you can live in my house? No, I of course you don’t” Rump tried to look sincere. “As for the vermin sitting on your head, I really would be very very careful. So careful. Becuase you don’t know why he’s helping you. I do. But you don’t. He does. But you don’t. Cover: @fishtography https://www.instagram.com/p/CHUiVPnjih-/?igshid=13730uh73a2j9

“I understand, Sir,” said Jacob. “It’s just that you said you would cut through all the red tape and that things would change right away. You see, after the vote I have struggled with my health. In fact if it wasn’t for Jose here I probably would have died.” The rhino scoffed. Cover: Jessie Lock https://www.instagram.com/p/CHR2KkZD4S7/?igshid=1iggp5n61mlli

“I am very sorry to interrupt your important work Mr. President,” said Jacob. “It’s just that I wondered when you might be able to fix up my enclosure. You see my water trough has run dry and my shed is broken down, and I have no straw for my bed.” Cover: Jessie Lock https://www.instagram.com/p/CHM54NSjWBt/?igshid=17tfnyypd55yr

“Mr. President, it is exactly for this reason we have come,” Jose reasoned. “Please will you allow Jacob to explain?” Rump yawned. “OK, go ahead," He said glaring up at the Mexican. “but this is very inconvenient and not good at all. Not good, at all.” Cover: @jamiscant https://www.instagram.com/p/CHKTfg2jns-/?igshid=1fkqp3sof00b5

“Mr. President. Jacob has come to talk. He has requested this audience for months,” explained Jose. “Why am I talking to a foreign rat?” Rump asked Jacob. “When a mighty American hero has come to talk to me?” “Because a sereque is talking to you, Mr. President.” “Well you look like a rat,” said the rhino. “Allow me to ask a question of my own. Do you think that I am rescheduling for no good reason? Do you think making this zoo great again is an easy job?” Cover: Jessie Lock https://www.instagram.com/p/CHHsVjojnEr/?igshid=1ig4w57p5heny

Rump emerged from the den, the straw nest perched crooked, his beady black eyes glazed with sleep, the stolen red scarf lost in the deep folds of his thick neck. He glared up at Jose. “What’s all this then?” he said. Cover: Clare Cuthbert https://www.instagram.com/p/CHFBUfzD70l/?igshid=k26a62835gme

Jose pulled back on the Elephants ears. They had arrived at their destination. The Lion’s Den. Jacob stopped, raised his great trunk high into the air and trumpeted. Cover: Jessie Lock https://www.instagram.com/p/CHCd3nKDFzc/?igshid=12yddum9132la

Jacob thought about this for an extended moment. “Thinking the worst of people leads to bitterness and an early grave.” Jose pulled on his left ear and the elephant veered left. Toward the lion’s den. “Who said that?” Jose asked. “I did.” “Ok. But you would agree that being cheated and continually lied to can also lead to an early grave?” Cover: @jamiscant https://www.instagram.com/p/CHADuA6DGvy/?igshid=eprxx8wnpzw6

Jose shook his head and smiled. “Why do you always think the best of people old friend?” Cover: Jessie Lock https://www.instagram.com/p/CG9StXPj9cM/?igshid=1c2028c3jdour