Once a year, the jungle held a boat race down the Muddy River. Dev the elephant built a bark raft, and painted it bright green. The prize was golden mangoes.
On race day, the animals lined up. Zane the zebra had a super-fast boat with a pointy front. ‘I’ll win easily,’ said Zane. Dev just smiled. ‘May the best boat win!’
‘Ready, steady, GO!’ The boats shot forward. Zane zoomed ahead. Dev paddled hard but fell behind. Then Dev saw Percy stuck on a rock, with water rising round his feet.
Dev had a choice. Win the race, or help a friend. Dev turned the boat round without a second thought. ‘Hop on!’ he called. Percy jumped in, and they paddled on together.
Soon they passed another stuck boat, and another. Dev helped them all. By the time they reached the end, Dev’s boat was full of friends, and everybody was singing.
Zane had won. But when Zane looked back and saw everyone laughing in Dev’s boat, he frowned. ‘It looks more fun over there,’ he said. Dev shared the golden mangoes, and Zane got the biggest piece.
The little lesson
Teamwork beats speed.
Let’s talk about it
- Who helped Dev at the end?
- What would your boat look like?
Finish stories to collect Dev as a sticker in your Sticker Book.
More Jungle stories
Secret of the Singing Falls with Rory
Rory and friends hike through the jungle to find a waterfall that no one has ever seen.
Roar, Hattie, Roar!
Hattie has a tiny voice. One day, it turns out to be just the right size.
The Great Jungle Boat Race of Lola
Every jungle animal enters the big river race. Can Lola win with a leaf boat?
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