The King's Speech

The lion, as king of the jungle, did convene the biggest meeting of animals you have ever seen. There were rhinos and kangaroos from down south, and a polar bear with forty-two teeth in his mouth. Fish swam in from the sea, and birds flew from the sky. Even the turtle set his watch and, on time, dropped by. The news was carried by the waves and the breeze. In solidarity, they were joined by plankton and trees. Yep, everyone was there, from predator to prey. The lion had some serious concerns to convey. He opened his great mouth. He spoke and he roared, "We must solve our problem. Are you all aboard? A virus has spread across the planet of earth. We must join forces to fight it for all we are worth. This coward will kill us with guns and greenhouse gasses. It's time for the rising of the animal masses, or the only plant or animal that remains will live in an ugly city or farm, domesticated in chains. We've identified the pathogen. We now need a plan to eradicate the ape who calls himself man. We must locate this creature's Achilles heel and take down the one who thinks he's a big deal. Let's send him to kingdom come, leaving not a trace, to give earth's kingdom back to us, its rightful place. We know the beast is morally bankrupt and cruel. How can we purge him and start our renewal?" An owl said, "man is uniquely dumb and deluded. Have you ever seen such stupidity exuded? All we have to do is leave the humans be. Our enemy will do himself in, don't you see?", and then he added with a hoot and a sigh, "but first, how many of us will have to die?"