Once a year, the jungle held a boat race down the Muddy River. Gia the giraffe built a coconut-shell boat, and painted it bright green. The prize was a crown of orchids.
On race day, the animals lined up. Pip the panda had a super-fast boat with a pointy front. ‘I’ll win easily,’ said Pip. Gia just smiled. ‘May the best boat win!’
‘Ready, steady, GO!’ The boats shot forward. Pip zoomed ahead. Gia paddled hard but fell behind. Then Gia saw Maya stuck on a rock, with water rising round her feet.
Gia had a choice. Win the race, or help a friend. Gia turned the boat round without a second thought. ‘Hop on!’ she called. Maya jumped in, and they paddled on together.
Soon they passed another stuck boat, and another. Gia helped them all. By the time they reached the end, Gia’s boat was full of friends, and everybody was singing.
Pip had won. But when Pip looked back and saw everyone laughing in Gia’s boat, he frowned. ‘It looks more fun over there,’ he said. Gia shared the a crown of orchids, and Pip got the biggest piece.
The little lesson
Teamwork beats speed.
Let’s talk about it
- Who helped Gia at the end?
- What would your boat look like?
Finish stories to collect Gia as a sticker in your Sticker Book.
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