Panda Panic by Jamie Rix Read Free Book Online Page B

“—is the Emperor’s crown!” Then he pulled the rake from the soil and sat down in the rocking chair. “Behold!” he said. “The Emperor is sitting on his throne holding his ceremonial trident.”

    â€œGreetings, Your Emperorness,” said Little Bear, dropping to his knees. “Shall I kiss your feet?”
    â€œThat would be nice,” said the Emperor. “And make sure you give them a good lick while you’re down there, because I haven’t washed them for a week.”
    â€œUgh!” spat Little Bear, leaping up and pretending to be sick.
    â€œWho dares to disobey the Emperor?” roared Ping.
    â€œMe,” said Little Bear. “Please don’t chop off my head.”
    â€œI very well might!” Ping roared. “It depends who you are.”
    â€œI’m your bodyguard,” said Little Bear, running over to the vegetable patch and pulling up a carrot. “And today I shall be protecting you with this orange sword.”
    â€œIt looks delicious,” said the Emperor. “But tell me, bodyguard, who exactly are you protecting me from?”
    â€œBandits!” said Little Bear. “If they so much as look at you in an evil way I shall poke them with this until they run away or get carrot poisoning, whichever is the soonest.”
    â€œWell, I’m glad you’re here,” said the Emperor, “because I’m just about to go to sleep and you and your carrot can protect me while I’m down for the count.”
    â€œConsider it done!” shouted Little Bear, jumping to attention and poking himself in the eye with the carrot.
    Snapping out of character, Ping leaped up off the rocking chair.
    â€œAre you alright?” he asked with genuine concern.
    â€œJust a carrot in the eye,” said Little Bear bravely. “Nothing us bodyguards aren’t trained to cope with. Now, about that sleep.”
    Ping resumed his position on the Emperor’s throne and closed his eyes so that the game could continue.
    â€œOnly wake me if there’s an emergency,” he said in the voice of the Emperor.
    â€œWake up!” shouted Little Bear.
    â€œWhat is it?” cried Ping.
    â€œAn emergency!” yelled Little Bear. “We’re under attack from bandits. Leave it to me, Your Sleepiness.” And with that, Little Bear flung himself onto the ground and rolled around with an imaginary bandit, stabbing at thin air with his carrot. After several forward rolls, a couple of back flips, and a great deal of grunting, Little Bear lay exhausted in front of Ping’s throne. The carrot was hanging limply from his paw, snapped in half.
    â€œThank you,” said the Emperor. “My body has never been so well guarded. And now I shall reward your bravery by making you a knight. Kneel before me.” Little Bear did as he was told, while Ping rose from his throne and laid the rake across Little Bear’s shoulder.
    â€œArise, Sir Little Bear,” Ping declared. “You have saved the Emperor’s life, and for such loyal service I gift you all of the land that you see before you.”
    â€œThe whole yard?” gasped Sir Little Bear.
    â€œIncluding the vegetable patch,” said Ping the Emperor. “Grow your vegetables wisely, Sir Little Bear, and may your leeks never wilt!”
    By now Little Bear was giggling so much that tears were running down his cheek.
    â€œYou make a very good Emperor,” he snorted.
    â€œAnd you make a very good bodyguard,” Ping laughed back. “And now all that remains for you to do is to bow to your Emperor and then you can run along.”
    â€œBut I don’t know how to bow,” said Little Bear. “You haven’t taught me how to do that yet.”
    â€œIt’s simple,” said Ping. “Watch me.” He waved his arms and legs, turned upside down so that the pants dropped off his head, and wiggled his bottom in the air.