PREFACE: Gizzy, my male Solomon Island Eclectus, and I have been engaged in translating the ECLECTUS CHRONICLES II, the stories that tell of MidYore in Eclectus history. Some friends are busily engaged in translating the Eclectus CHRONICLES I, the tales of EarlyYore. We should receive that and hope to publish soon.

I must remind you too of the inherent difficulty of translating Eclectalese. It is a very old and sophisticated language of hieroglyphs quite unlike English. For example, "## ^^ // \\ ** ++" cannot be translated directly, word for word, since it contains mental pictures, concepts, and one must be alert to every nuance of each symbol to grasp the meaning.

That is why, I am convinced, that our Eclectuses must labor to master the simplified language we try to teach them. The fact is that our Eclectuses think on a more complicated level than we, and each "boing," "click," "boop," "cluck," or growl represents a far more complex array of significance than we know. Our insistence that they speak English is really beneath their dignity, but since they are patient and loving creatures, they put up with our limitations.

Because of this difficulty in translation, I regret that I cannot give you a word-for-word version of "The Coming of King Grand" but can only manage a close paraphrasing. Those of you who have been studying Eclectalese under the tutelage of your own beloved Eclectus will know what I mean and will forgive me.

THE COMING OF KING GRAND

"The Ancient Ones sayeth that in May, the season of renewal, King Grand appeareth within the Round Forest, no one knowing from whence he cometh.

The Round Forest was in disarray. The Eclectus Tribes warred amongst themselves, and there was much wailing and gnashing of beaks. The Red-Sides fought against the Biakis, the Vosmaeri fought against the Solomons, the Macgillivray fought against the Aruensis, the Westermani fought against the Riedelis.

The other birds of the Round Forest, the Macaws, the Cockatoos, the Greys, the Amazons, the Lories, even the little Parakeets, Finches, and Budgies, warred amongst themselves. The Love Birds hid in seclusion. The small animals of the forest ventured out only at night to grab a crumb or morsel. All of the inhabitants of the Round Forest suffered in misery and travail from the dissension and hatred. Starvation and sickness ruleth the forest. Nobility, kindness, and good works were unknown.

But the Round Forest suffered its greatest affront from the predations of the Monkey People. Odd-looking creatures, they cameth from a far land to cut down the trees with their sharp instruments ("&& @ + "=Axes, hatchets) and hauleth them away.

King Grand calleth a meeting at the Assembly Tree. The Nine Tribes sent their Greatest Warriors: Sir Vos of the Vosmaeri; Sir Mac of the Macgillivray; Sir Sol of the Solomons; Sir Red of the Red-Sides; Sir Biaki of the Biaki; Sir Westerman of the Westermani; Sir Aru of the Aruensis; Sir Cornus of the Cornelia; and Sir Ried of the Riedeli. Here were gathered the Great Ones of the Nine Tribes.

King Grand sayeth, "Wherefore labor us in internecine battle? Why dost brother struggle against brother? We must unite to drive away the Monkey People who destroyeth our great forest. My brothers, let us put away our hatred and work for the common good."

But Sir Vos, the Greatest Warrior of them all, sayeth, "Wherefore sayeth thou these things? Who art thou? Why shouldst we obey thee?"

There was much fluttering, cooing, and nodding amongst the assembly.

Who was this mysterious stranger who had come from unknown regions?

The Great Knights prepared to fly away, to listen no more to this Pretender and to resume their tribal warfare.

Suddenly, a presence cameth before them, and a hush fell over the group. It was the great Eccolocatus, the Grand Vizier, the Great Wizard of the Round Forest. All except King Grand felt trepidation. Great as these warriors were, all felt fear and trembling before Eccolocatus, the Wise One.

Eccolocatus sayeth, "Great Warriors! Listen thou to me! The time hath cometh for a new king of the Round Forest. His domain shall be calleth Eclectalot, where there shall be faith, hope, charity, and Good Deeds. Grand hath cometh from the Isle of Avilon, the Great Sanctuary, and will returneth there someday. Now he shall be proclaimed King Grand and will leadeth us into battle against the Monkey People. Hail, King Grand!"

Thus, with Eccolocatus' blessing and anointment, the Great Warriors welcomed King Grand, and the Kingdom of Eclectalot was established. Faith, hope, charity, and Good Deeds would henceforth be the major virtues. The Knights of the Round Forest, rather than feuding amongst themselves, would turn their labors toward doing Good.

But first the Monkey People must be driven away, for they were desecrating the forest. Eccolocatus sayeth privately that in centuries to cometh, the Monkey People would becometh the Tribes' greatest ally, but now they were a scourge.

King Grand met in battle council with his Great Knights; he had a plan. Eccolocatus provided wise counsel, and toward the end of the council, he slippeth quietly away on a secret mission. . . .

The dawn cometh, and the Monkey People appeared with their sharp instruments. They continued their desecration of the Round Forest. Suddenly from several directions charged the Great Eclectus Knights with many of their tribes following! They swooped down, squawked loudly, fluttered their wings, and pecked furiously at the Monkey People, who covered their heads and struck back with their axes.

The Great Knights and their tribes struggled valiantly against the infuriated Monkey People. Many noble Eclectuses fell in battle on this day. Just as the battle looked darkest for the tribes and defeat seemeth at hand, suddenly there was a great commotion! From all directions, led by the Wizard Eccolocatus, came badly needed reinforcements. It was the Macaws, the Cockatoos, the Greys, the Amazons, the Lories, even the little Parakeets, Finches, Budgies, and Love Birds!

All the birds of the forest had united to save their home from the invaders. Such a squawking, screeching, and screaming the Round Forest hath never heard! It truly was Pandemonium, one thousand times louder than the loudest aviary.

The Monkey People threw down their axes, covered their ears, and fled from the Round Forest, never to return.

After the Great Battle, King Grand met with his knights and with all the birds of the forest and proclaimeth, "God bless ye, one and all!

From this day forth, I shall ruleth this Round Forest with faith, hope, charity, and Good Deeds toward all. Duty, Responsibility, and Blessedness will be our watchwords! We shall live in peace and Good Will toward all Avians!"

And the assembled multitude, flush with victory, replied, "Hail to King Grand, our victor and peacemaker! Long live King Grand! God bless Eclectalot!"

Thus in this way did King Grand cometh and bring peace to the Round Forest."

THUS ENDETH BOOK I OF ECLECTUS CHRONICLES II

Ben Varner (&& ^^ // `` *)