The Fleadom

There once was a kingdom so eensy-weensy and tiny-winy it must have been the smallest kingdom in the whole galaxy. But to its inhabitants, the little fleas, it seemed to be just the right size.

Every year, the flea king, Gustav, held an international flea race. The champions competed over who would make the longest jump. Every year, the little creatures would line up at the starting line and jump as far as they could. Then they would have a wonderful celebration and enjoy a marvellous feast.

One day, a flea called Bibi made a jump so long she landed far behind the borders of the kingdom. And that’s when she saw it – their kingdom was moving, and she was on the back of a giant beast!

“Hey there, you four-legged giant! Where am I?” called out the curious flea, while she looked around.

But Buddy, the dog, didn’t hear a thing. He was quite old and almost deaf and he couldn’t see her either. Who would notice such a tiny creature, anyway?

“Hellooo?!!” shouted Bibi again from the top of her tiny lungs and right into the dog’s ear.

“What’s that?” Buddy sprang up. “Am I going bonkers? It's my age, I'm too old and I’m hearing strange voices in my head!”

“It’s me, down here!” Bibi shouted. “I’m a flea. Over here, just behind your ear. I wanted to ask you something important. Where are we? I suppose I live in your fur, but I don’t really know where we are!”

The dog shook himself frantically and started scratching all over his body. He was in a panic.

“Me, have a doggone flea? In my fur? Is that why I’ve been itching so much and why I need to scratch myself all the time?…