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