Winnie the Warthog and the Royal Banquet

Chapter 1: Good Table Manners

In a lively kingdom called Merrymeadow, there lived a young warthog named Winnie. Winnie had tusks that curled like parentheses, a cheerful grunt, and a tummy that was always ready for dinner.

But Winnie ate in a very messy way.

She grabbed her food with both hooves. She stuffed her cheeks until they bulged like balloons. She talked with her mouth full, so crumbs flew across the table like confetti. She slurped her soup, burped without saying sorry, and left her napkin on the floor.

"Eating is eating," she would say. "Who cares how?"

Her friends did, a little. Daisy the duck often scooted her chair farther away. Pip the mouse hid behind his cup to avoid the flying crumbs. But nobody wanted to hurt Winnie's feelings, so nobody said a word.

One morning, a golden envelope arrived at Winnie's door. It was sealed with red wax and tied with a ribbon.

"You are invited to the Royal Banquet at Merrymeadow Castle. Queen Marigold requests the pleasure of your company."

Winnie squealed so loudly that her teapot rattled. "A royal banquet! There will be roast vegetables, honey cakes, and strawberry pudding!"

Then she stopped. She thought of the queen, the long tables, the shining plates. She looked down at her crumb-covered shirt. A small worry tugged at her tummy.

"I don't think I know how to eat at a castle," she whispered.