Alfonso and the Prickly Visitor: A Royal Tortoise Tale

In the heart of a lush green forest, there lived a young tortoise named Alfonso. Alfonso was no ordinary tortoise; he was a royal tortoise, the prince of his realm. With his elegant dark green shell adorned with intricate golden markings, Alfonso exuded a regal aura that set him apart.

Alfonso and the Prickly Visitor (A Royal Tortoise Tale Book 2)

by Susan Moffat

5 out of 5

Language	:	English
File size	:	11956 KB
Text-to-Speech	:	Enabled
Enhanced typesetting	:	Enabled
Word Wise	:	Enabled
Print length	:	27 pages
Lending	:	Enabled
Screen Reader	:	Supported

FREE

Alfonso's days were filled with royal duties and leisurely strolls through his vast forest kingdom. He enjoyed basking in the warm sunlight and indulging in his favorite treats—ripe berries and juicy melons. Life was good for the young prince.

However, one sunny afternoon, as Alfonso ambled along a secluded forest path, he encountered a most unexpected visitor. It was a small, prickly creature with a round body covered in sharp spines. The creature huffed and puffed, its tiny nose twitching incessantly.

"Excuse me, kind sir," said the creature. "My name is Harriet, and I am a hedgehog. I have traveled far and wide, and I seek shelter in your kingdom."

Alfonso paused, his eyes widening in surprise. He had never met a hedgehog before. "A hedgehog, you say?" he inquired. "But you are so different from me."

"Yes, I know," replied Harriet. "I am prickly and you are smooth, I am small and you are large. But does that mean we cannot be friends?"

Alfonso pondered Harriet's words. He had always been taught to be wary of those who were different. But as he looked into Harriet's eager eyes, he couldn't help but feel a sense of curiosity and a glimmer of sympathy.

"Very well," said Alfonso. "You may stay in my kingdom, Harriet. But be warned, my subjects may not be as welcoming as I am."

Harriet thanked Alfonso and followed him to his royal palace, a magnificent structure carved into the trunk of an ancient oak tree. The palace was filled with luxurious furnishings and delicious aromas, but the atmosphere was cold and formal.

The royal tortoises, Alfonso's advisors and confidants, were skeptical of Harriet. They whispered among themselves, casting doubtful glances at the prickly visitor. They feared that Harriet's presence would disrupt the harmony of their kingdom.

Undeterred, Alfonso introduced Harriet to his subjects. "This is Harriet, our new guest," he announced. "Treat her with respect."

The royal tortoises nodded reluctantly, but their reservations were evident. However, Harriet, with her infectious enthusiasm and gentle nature, gradually began to win over even the most skeptical of Alfonso's advisors.

Harriet taught the royal tortoises about the wonders of the outside world. She told them stories of distant lands and adventures she had experienced. She shared her knowledge of medicinal herbs and the secrets of finding the juiciest berries in the forest.

In turn, the royal tortoises taught Harriet about the traditions and customs of their kingdom. They showed her the royal gardens, the grand halls, and the secret passages that connected the different chambers of the palace.

As the days turned into weeks, Harriet and Alfonso became the best of friends. They spent countless hours exploring the forest together, discovering hidden waterfalls, secret groves, and a magical lake where talking frogs resided.

Their friendship was a testament to the power of acceptance and the beauty of embracing differences. It taught the royal tortoises that even those who seem different can bring joy, laughter, and valuable lessons into their lives.

But their idyllic existence was not to last. One fateful day, a group of hunters entered the forest. They were armed with bows and arrows, and their intentions were clear: to capture the royal tortoise and sell him for a hefty profit.

Alfonso and Harriet were unaware of the danger lurking nearby. They were playing hide-and-seek in the forest, laughing and having the time of their lives. But their laughter was cut short by the sound of footsteps and the twang of a bowstring.

An arrow whizzed past Alfonso's head, narrowly missing him. Harriet gasped in horror and tried to shield her friend with her prickly body. But before she could react, another arrow pierced her side, sending her tumbling to the ground.

Alfonso watched in disbelief as his precious friend lay wounded before him. He let out a roar of fury and charged at the hunters, his heavy shell crashing into their legs. The hunters stumbled and fell, giving Alfonso and Harriet a chance to escape.

With Harriet clinging tightly to his back, Alfonso raced through the forest, his heart pounding in his chest. They dodged arrows, leaped over fallen logs, and pushed through dense undergrowth.

Finally, they reached the safety of a deep cave. Alfonso gently placed Harriet on a bed of soft moss and tended to her wound. He used his knowledge of medicinal herbs to stop the bleeding and ease her pain.

As the sun began to set, Harriet opened her eyes and gazed at Alfonso with gratitude. "Thank you," she whispered. "You saved my life."

"You are welcome, my friend," replied Alfonso. "I would do anything for you."

Harriet smiled weakly. "I know," she said. "And that's what makes our friendship so special."

In the end, the hunters were unable to capture Alfonso or Harriet. The royal tortoises, alerted by the commotion, rallied together to defend their prince and his friend.

From that day forward, the bond between Alfonso and Harriet became unbreakable. They continued to explore the forest together, sharing adventures and creating memories that would last a lifetime.

And as the seasons changed and the years passed, the story of Alfonso and the Prickly Visitor became a beloved tale in the forest kingdom, a timeless reminder that friendship knows no boundaries and that even the most unlikely of pairings can create a world of wonder and joy.

The End

Alfonso and the Prickly Visitor (A Royal Tortoise Tale Book 2)

by Susan Moffat

5 out of 5

Language	:	English
File size	:	11956 KB
Text-to-Speech	:	Enabled
Enhanced typesetting	:	Enabled
Word Wise	:	Enabled
Print length	:	27 pages
Lending	:	Enabled
Screen Reader	:	Supported

FREE