Hanns-Joachim Marschall

Deep underground live the Earthfolk. There are five Earthfolk tribes: the Wirsche, the Wolde, the Gilche, the Murke, and the Trumpe. They have all been ruled for 1,000 years by the kind but slightly eccentric Kalle, a big-hearted, peace-loving Wirsch who serves as their king. One day, however, a proclamation spreads through the realm: all Earthfolk must gather at the Earthfolk Fortress. There, Zoppo Trump intends to challenge King Kalle Wirsch to a duel and seize power. Knowing he can hardly win such a duel, Zoppo and his cronies, Querro and Quarro, the Rat and the Spider, set numerous nasty traps meant to kill the king. If Kalle fails to appear for the duel, the law states that the challenger automatically inherits the throne, making Zoppo king.

There are incredible things on the remote South Sea island of Titiwu: a school that you can skip with impunity and a harmony between humans and animals that was thought to be lost. The absent-minded Professor Habakuk Tibatong has taught some animals to speak. For example, the pig lady Wutz, the shoebill Shush, Ping Penguin and the monitor lizard Wawa. On the rocky reef, the elephant seal sings his "traurögön Lödör" all the time. Unfortunately, every one of them except Wutz has a speech impediment. The orphan Tim Tintenklecks helps the professor when it comes to getting the animals excited about a joint project. And one day it happens: a block of ice is stranded on the shore. Inside is an egg from which a primeval creature hatches - the Urmel. And it can even talk. Professor Tibatong, who has always believed in the existence of the Urmel, does something stupid...