Forest Tree King Pink

As you step out the woodland procession approaches, and lifted highly upon firm branches, all knotted in a crazy splendid mess, sits the Forest Tree King, and all about is perfect. The sunshine of the day perches upon his shoulder and he looks lovingly down into the gathered crowd.

Ribbons and bunting are everywhere, gold, green, blue, white, yellow, fluttering like butterflies in the light summer breeze.

'Welcome my friends' he says to the gathering, his deep voice, warm and welcoming. 'Now who shall sit on my throne for the day? Who shall bring me the most perfect leaf, for that is what you must do for me and then I will grant the winner a seat upon my throne for the day.'

He then pauses for effect though the words are the same every year.
'But there is one simple rule, do you know it?' and all about the crowd chant 'Yes, yes we do.'
'Well then that is good, but lets help our new friends freshly joined' and he turns to you and says.

'The leaves must fall naturally to the ground, none must be picked from the trees themselves, and be careful where you collect them from, it must be clean and free from litter of any kind. Now are you ready?'

Are you? Then nod to the Forest Tree King.

All about the courtyard the frenzy is about to begin, there is a magic hush as the King lifts his arm in readiness. Everyone holds their breath waiting for the signal, then he opens his palm and out spill hundreds of rose petals, and off like a gun the crowd goes, to the left and right, people scurrying and snatching at the leaves on the ground, along the side and all about. When they have what they believe to be the best, then they head off across the grass at a mad pace.

Then the King of the Forest turns gently to you again and asks kindly. 'What are you waiting for, find one superb leaf each, make it different from each others, so no two should be alike if you can help it, then take them to the five judges in the field.'

'The winner will have the chance to sit upon my throne, it is always the prize going far back into history, further than books, and long beards, and perhaps even before shoes were invented, and that is a very long way back indeed!'

So your task is set, each take a moment to find a leaf, as perfect as can be and then when you are ready, come back to me and read on.

You all have a leaf?

As you approach to the judge on a mossy and battered tree sits Lara the ladybird,she has a ruby red shell with stunning black dots . She lives in a grassy forest and has a house made out of soft tulip heads. Lara spends her time sun bathing in the glories summers sun watching the clouds go past.

Lara the lady bird asks you to lay your leaves on the earthy ground and compair which of your lovely leaves is the bendiest for a umbrella .

Jem was feeling spotty like jaguars always do! And .....I did say jaguar. He is an outcast from Blue Berry forest. He had refused to eat deer so he ate cobnuts instead.
The judge said with a deep voice,"Please hold out your leaves and compare their size. I want a huge green leaf as a canopy I will give the people in poor countries the canopy."


As you walk away he gives you a diamond for helping him.

what would you do with the diamond ?

As you approach the next judge your heart jumps. For Henry is sitting glumly staring hopelessly at his old rotting oak wood door! Then he see's you and his eyes light up in surprise he sizes you up in one glance, surveying you. He was sitting on cold damp earth covered in dying leaves for his house was hidden underground!

He had a cup of tea clutched in his hand and he was sitting sipping it gently." Ah hello i'm looking for something to cover up my door, something interesting, something eye catching.Now could you please lay all your beautiful leaves down on the floor.

Now, i'm looking for a lovely fresh green leaf that you can't miss so that more people can come to tea at my house.Oh how i love it when old friends come and have a little chat with there great friend."now talk between yourselves and decide who has the most fresh green leaf and keep your answer for the end and tell the mighty Forest Tree King. Then you nod at Henry and he nods politely back.As you leave he gives a large gold ingot. what would you do with it?

"Oh thank you so much." he shouts and you wave back.

As you approach the judge,Propped up on a mole hole sites Maddie the mole, with a sore paw. Behind her ear lies a beautiful topaz bow she had found lose on a branch. The furthest she had traveled is to the high hills of China, witch took five tiring days to get there and four everlasting days on the way back ,I guess she was in a rush to.

"Please place your marvelous leaves in an arch shape around me!"

Maddie needs a strong, pointy leaf to help her dig masive holes.

Strong,pointy leaves help make smooth carves in the earthy ground and always a pointy end to dig into hard rock.

Now have you decided witch nor is the strongest and pointiest leaf in your group.

Maddie the Mole has to go now and is very happy with your choice of leaf,so to say good bye do a digging action and she will do it back!

Lying on the floor in the hot blistering sun is Mario the moose , at that moment he got up and in his high pitch voice said "lay your leaves across the floor". With out a moments adoo he poggled them with his hoof."This one!" he called, "it's perfect, thick and big, all the things for a sun hat. Thank you for coming to my home with all those leaves, good luck with my other see you later". Wave good by to Mario.

As you approach the judge she is wearily moving around the hobbithouse.
Wilma is tired and sad through endless nights of restless sleep. Birds are singing and leaves are rustling lullabies around the pond but this doesn't seem to help.

Some time later resting her aching body she dips in and out of a tormented sleep. Desparely yawning she lethargicly stretches her streamline figure to open the door to you, the eager contestants and you step inside.

Hi everyone sorry that I'm so tired, can you help me, what I'm looking for is a soft silky and medium size leaf.

A winner is chosen.

Goodnight god bless and thankyou whispered Wilma, as everyone quietly left her to sleep. zzzzzzzzzz......zzzzzz.

The King waits eagerly, he has judged many leaves already, but lots of faces are a little glum as nobody has won yet today, but then you place your leaves on the ground and the Kings wise eyes light right up.

'Tell me,' he says, 'Which did Spider choose?

And which did Miss Fly-by-night the moth?

And what about Squire Squirrel, he likes shiny, which did he choose?

And Captain Cricket, he always chooses for worm, which did he like the best.

He talks so fast that you find your head gets dizzy, but you point as quickly as he asks.

'All these leaves are so beautiful,' he says 'but every competition needs a winner and the throne can only hold one person, so . . . ' and he pauses thinking for a moment.

'Is there one leaf which has been chosen more than the others?'

Who's leaf has been chosen the most times?

But the King shakes his head, 'We can't leave it like this, I have an idea, you can take it in turns on my throne.'

And an enormous raw of applause erupts from the crowd, hats are thrown into the air and music begins to start.

Then the Forest Tree King lifts you up high onto the throne of branches and all cheer at the first winner.

Did you enjoy the adventure?

How would you make it better?

Should there have been another judge creature? Fly, Rook, Robin, Field Mouse, Pigeon?

If you were one of the judges what would be your criteria for the best one?

What would you change about the story?

Who's leaf should really have won?