‘Rumble in the Jungle’

Written byGrace, Elizabeth and

Jaquelyn Muller

‘Rumble in the Jungle’

First published in Australia in 2013 by ©Jaquelyn Muller Bookswww.jmullerbooks.com

Text copyright © Grace, Elizabeth and Jaquelyn Muller

The right of Grace, Elizabeth and Jaquelyn Muller to be identified as the authors of this work has been asserted by them in accordance with the Copyright, Designs and Patents Act, 1988

All rights reserved, including the right of reproduction in whole or in part in any form.

1

It was Opening Night of Stella’s Hula Hut and Stella the Starfish was in a real foam of excitement.

She was opening a nightclub for all the reef and forest animals of the Daintree Rainforest, but unfortunately, it looked as though the celebrations would be ruined with the news that Shelly the Mermaid, Stella’s best friend and club singer, had lost her magic necklace that held the essence of her voice!

2

Without her necklace, Stella knew that Shelly would not be able to sing. Opening Night would not be the same without her best friend!

The Hula Hut was quickly thrown into a cyclone of chaos as Stella put everyone on high alert. Meanwhile Shelly was feeling miserable thinking she had let Stella down.

3

Stella scurried into the kitchen to quiz Wally the Whale as he prepared for the evening Bush Banquet.

“I am so sorry about Shelly’s necklace Stella, but I have been busier than a crock during tourist season. I haven’t seen a sign of Shelly’s necklace!” Wally explained, using his fin to wipe his sweaty brow.

4

Next, Stella found Cecil the Clam rehearsing with the other band members of the ‘Rock Pool’.

Cecil gaped in horror at the news. ‘Stella we must simply find that necklace, Shelly is part of the opening act!”

Octy the Octopus and Hurtle the Turtle both shook their heads in disappointment.

5

“We may have to slide straight into Stephanie the Sea Snake’s dance?” suggested Cecil. Everyone nodded in agreement.

Stephanie was one of the most majestic dancers on the Reef, it was sure to get the club squawking, hissing and chirping, but it still wouldn’t be the same without Shelly.

Stella should ‘ve felt relieved that Opening Night would go ahead, but she still had to find Shelly’s necklace. If a mermaid is without her necklace for more than one day she loses her voice forever!

6

At that moment, Saskia Shell, Hula Hut’s very bossy bartender came madly waving over.

“Stella, I have had to leave preparing Coconut and Wattle Seed Smoothies to go looking for that fishy little Mergatroid. He is late again!”

Stella wasn’t in the mood for another crisis, but she knew that Saskia wouldn’t leave her alone until they had located their very scaly waiter.

“Saskia, I know he is off with the fairy fish but ……”

Then out of the corner of her eye, Stella could see Mergatroid, gently waving into the Hula Hut looking very relaxed. Just as Stella was about to tick him off, she became distracted by a shiny chain wrapped around his tail!

7

“Mergatroid what have you got around your tail?” Stella demanded.

“Morning dudes and dudettes, fabuloso morning out on the reef. Say, what’s with all the glum faces, did Tiny the Shark eat everyone’s lunch again?” Mergatroid asked.

“Mergatroid, have you got sand in your ears? What have you got around your tail?”, Stella steamed.

Mergatroid looked down at his tail. “Oh yeah pretty bodacious huh? I must have caught it on my tail yesterday before I left. My scales really glitter now don’t you think?”

“MERGATROID!” everyone yelled.

8

“That is Shelly’s necklace,” Stella shouted. “If we don’t get it back to her now, not only will she not be able to sing for Opening Night, but she will lose her voice forever!”

“Chillax amigos, here you go, I am not one to make waves.” Mergatroid handed over the necklace to Stella, who instantly swam off to give it back to her grateful friend.

9

The Hula Hut was ablaze against the twinkling night sky of the rainforest. Applause and cheering could be heard as Shelly finished her enchanting melody. Opening Night was a huge success with all the reef and rainforest creatures really bringing the party.

“Stella, the Hula Hut rocks,” declared Kelly Coral. “And Wally’s Beetle Leaf Salad and Pineapple Salsa is a waterfall of flavour!”

Shelly came off stage, her necklace sparkling around her neck. “Thank you Stella for finding my necklace, you don’t know what it means to me.”

Stella hugged her friend with all of her arms and together they went off to enjoy a party that was talked about in the Daintree for many years to come.

10

THE END