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