Once a year, the jungle held a boat race down the Muddy River. Jess the hippo built a log canoe, and painted it bright green. The prize was a huge fruit basket.
On race day, the animals lined up. Luca the lion had a super-fast boat with a pointy front. ‘I’ll win easily,’ said Luca. Jess just smiled. ‘May the best boat win!’
‘Ready, steady, GO!’ The boats shot forward. Luca zoomed ahead. Jess paddled hard but fell behind. Then Jess saw Eli stuck on a rock, with water rising round his feet.
Jess had a choice. Win the race, or help a friend. Jess turned the boat round without a second thought. ‘Hop on!’ she called. Eli jumped in, and they paddled on together.
Soon they passed another stuck boat, and another. Jess helped them all. By the time they reached the end, Jess’s boat was full of friends, and everybody was singing.
Luca had won. But when Luca looked back and saw everyone laughing in Jess’s boat, he frowned. ‘It looks more fun over there,’ he said. Jess shared the a huge fruit basket, and Luca got the biggest piece.
The little lesson
Teamwork beats speed.
Let’s talk about it
- Who helped Jess at the end?
- What would your boat look like?
Finish stories to collect Jess as a sticker in your Sticker Book.
More Jungle stories
Splash! Percy and the River Race
Every jungle animal enters the big river race. Can Percy win with a leaf boat?
Mabel and the Big Noise
Mabel has a tiny voice. One day, it turns out to be just the right size.
The Great Jungle Boat Race of Tilly
Every jungle animal enters the big river race. Can Tilly win with a leaf boat?
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