by Francis Jock

Created on: November 19, 2011   Last Updated: May 01, 2012

Hippo Tales: Francis Hippopotamus and the  King of Beasts

Every afternoon, just before the sun sets and the moon rises above the grasslands, comes an hour when all hippopotamus leave their homes along the river bank and make their way to the nearby grasslands to graze on the luscious grasses, berries and fruits that grow there. From his favorite spot in the soft mud along the side of the river, Francis, youngest hippopotamus of the hippopotamus family, watched sadly as the rest of his family and, in fact, the entire herd of hippopotamus, began making their way to the grasslands where dinner awaited.

“I don’t want to go,” Francis said flatly, his tail twitching nervously, to Tully the Turtle. “Not this time. I’ve been warned by Clarence the Crane that there are great beasts out there called lions. They have great manes of hair and beady eyes and sharp teeth and sharp claws and they will eat me!”

“Nonsense, you are a great hippopotamus and you don’t have to be afraid of anything,” replied Tully in his curious, snappy way.

Tully was young, yet turtle-wise, with a bright green shell and sharp yellow eyes. Tully was Francis’ best friend, and he always told the truth about everything he had ever seen. 

“Cranes don’t know anything about lions, and besides, Clarence is only making fun of you. You don’t have to be afraid of lions, after all, you are the King of the River.”

“But," Francis objected, unconvinced "Clarence said lions are the King of Beasts, and they will surely EAT ME!”

“If you let me ride on your back,” snapped Tully.  “I will go with you, and you will see that lions are nothing to be afraid of.”

Francis trusted his best friend Tully more than anyone, so he agreed.

From his lookout perch in a barely-branched tree, Clarence the Crane cried aloud in fits of shrill laughter when he saw the unlikely pair of friends approaching. Meekly making his way along the path to the grasslands was an uncertain Francis Hippopotamus, and riding on his back, was Tully the Turtle.

“Ha, Ha!” laughed Clarence. “You two make a fine pair of explorers, just where do you think you are going?"

“We are going to find our way to the grasslands,” replied Tully, flatly, suspicious of Clarence’s intentions.

Francis didn’t say a word, knowing that arguing with a crane like Clarence was an impossible waste of time.

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