Image description:
A colourful, hand-drawn illustration shows a jungle clearing where all seven Wombles and all seven Care Bears stand facing each other, ready for a friendly showdown. On the left, the Wombles are lined up, each with their own distinct hat and outfit — Great Uncle Bulgaria with his tartan scarf, Orinoco looking slightly sleepy, Tobermory in his workshop gear, Madame Cholet in a chef-style outfit, and the others in bright caps and waistcoats. They appear determined but curious.
On the right, the Care Bears stand in a neat row. Tenderheart Bear is at the front with his red heart symbol. The others include Funshine Bear with a sun, Good Luck Bear with a four-leaf clover, Cheer Bear with a rainbow, Grumpy Bear with a rain cloud, Share Bear with lollipops, and Harmony Bear in calming purple. They look cheerful but focused.
In the background, green jungle trees and palm leaves surround the clearing under a bright blue sky. Across the top of the image, large yellow and black text reads:
THE WOMBLE IN THE JUNGL
Chapter One – The Staredown at Sunrise
It was just before dawn when the jungle clearing fell silent.
Sunlight crept through the trees in golden stripes, slicing across the damp leaves and pooling around the makeshift ring — a wide open space outlined in banana leaves, bamboo stalks, and a very determined family of parrots acting as referees.
At one end stood the Wombles, lined up in a tidy little row.
Great Uncle Bulgaria stepped forward, straightening his tartan shawl and tapping his walking stick twice on the jungle floor. His white whiskers twitched with focus. “Right then,” he said quietly. “Let’s see what sort of bears these are.”
At the other end stood the Care Bears, bright and colourful like walking sherbet fountains.
Tenderheart Bear stepped up, arms folded gently across his heart badge. His fur was a warm golden-brown, his eyes calm but ready. “We come in peace,” he said, “but we’re not afraid to care… hard.”
There was a pause. A long one.
Then Bulgaria gave a nod. “Respectfully noted. But I’d care to know what your glitter’s doing in our rivers.”
The parrots squawked dramatically. A drum rolled (courtesy of Bungo banging a hollow log), and the first round officially began.
Bulgaria moved slowly, precisely, inspecting a patch of plastic wrappers near the roots of a tree. He muttered under his breath, “Human-made. Nonsense packaging. Possibly snack-related. We’ll have it composted by sundown.”
Tenderheart stepped forward and activated his belly badge — a shimmering red heart beamed gently into the clearing, drawing the jungle creatures closer. A baby sloth cuddled a frog. Two toucans high-fived. The vines shimmered.
“Emotional harmony restored,” Tenderheart announced kindly.
Great Uncle Bulgaria squinted at him. “Do all your strategies involve hugging and sparkle?”
“Yes,” Tenderheart replied, “and they work surprisingly well.”
The round continued with composting vs caring beams, stick taps vs heart blasts, mild muttering vs hopeful speeches. Neither side blinked. Neither side backed down.
Finally, the parrots flapped overhead and signalled the end of Round One.
Tenderheart extended a paw. “You’re stern, but you care deeply.”
Bulgaria shook it. “And you’re fluffy, but not entirely useless.”
It wasn’t quite a truce — but it was a start.
Behind them, the jungle watched, waiting. One round down. Seven to go.
Blind Man Makes 