The Rightful Heir by Jefferson Knapp

popped out of Fat Tony’s throat. “I’ll head back and see if anything new has happened.
Ribbit.”
    â€œI will return at sssunssset. There had better be sssomething…” Siloam looked over the fat bullfrog and flicked his tongue.
“Juicy.”
He hissed and slithered into the grass.
    The bullfrog looked at the other two in the water. “…Snakes.”

    B ENJAMIN PASSED THROUGH THE COLD TUNNEL that took him down into the earth. He heard no talking.
They must still be asleep
. When he reached the hall, in the pale light he saw masses of animals curled up, sleeping. He remembered when Paco scared the sleepwalking Roscoe and Clementine when he yelled ‘Farangis!’ and got a mischievous idea. He tiptoed through the animals. Clementine lay next to the natural spring pool. Benjamin put down his backpack and quietly approached the peaceful, sleeping pig.
    Hmmpph!
With one great heave, Benjamin pushed the pig into the freezing water. Clementine’s eyes shot out. “What the—?!
Oink! Oink! Oink!
It’s freezing!
Oink! Oink!”
All theanimals awoke instantly. They saw the pig thrashing in the pool and their king laughing hysterically. They laughed, too. “Your Majesty, help me! Please help me!” The pig started to dip under the water as his little legs kicked madly.
    Benjamin’s smile disappeared. “Oh no! Okay, just hold on, Clementine!”
    â€œTo what?!”
    Benjamin leaned out to grab the frantic pig. The water was cold. He managed to grab a front porky leg. “Gotcha!”
    â€œHold on tight, Your Majesty!”
    â€œI won’t let go!” Benjamin never saw the pig grin right before he twisted his fat body over, pulling the boy into the icy cold pool with him.
    â€œWhoaaaaaaaa!”
    The animals watched their king splash around awkwardly while the fat pig laughed his head off, bobbing up and down in the water. Clementine confidently swam to the ledge of the pool and heaved himself out. Roscoe stared the wet pig in the face.
    â€œNice going,
pig!
You just got the king all wet!” he said in disgust.
    â€œFeel free to help,
Matador,”
Clementine smiled.
    The goat walked to the ledge and bowed his head. “Here, Your Majesty. Grab onto my horns.” Benjamin moved close to the ledge and grabbed onto his one full horn. It didn’t take much to yank Roscoe into the pool.
“Baaaaaah! Baaaaah!”
Clementine laughed hardest of all. Benjamin grabbed the hysterical goat with a free arm.
    â€œThere, there, Roscoe. It’s not so cold once you get used to it!”
    â€œYeah, Roscoe. You gotta stay in longer than that!” Clementine jeered. Loud splashing drowned out the goat’s reply…thankfully. Clementine roared at Roscoe’s long black earsdrooping over his eyes.
    Benjamin helped Roscoe out of the pool and followed right behind. “Ahhh! Okay I’m definitely awake now.” He laughed as he stretched out on the floor, soaked head to toe.
    â€œGood morning, Sire! Good morning, Your Majesty!” They greeted the silly-looking king.
    â€œGood morning, everybody.” Benjamin coughed and sat up. “Well…I’ve got some good news.”
    â€œTell us, Sire!” Clementine shook his fat body and the remaining drops flew off his black, bristly hair into Roscoe’s face.
    â€œThanks.”
The goat snapped.
    â€œI talked to the pug with the black foot last night.” His audience leaned in. “And…he
is
King Pugsly’s son!”
    â€œHooray!” The animals jumped for joy and Benjamin smiled, just as excited about the meeting he’d had with Mac.

    J ESSICA H OWELL OPENED THE FRONT DOOR and pushed the lock. It was Friday and she was looking forward to the Harvest Home Festival, now only two days away. “Come on, Mac. Get out here,” she called into the house. The pug ran happily past her, his curly tail wagging back and forth. She