Once a year, the jungle held a boat race down the Muddy River. Mei the monkey built a banana-leaf boat, and painted it bright green. The prize was a trophy of shells.
On race day, the animals lined up. Holly the hippo had a super-fast boat with a pointy front. ‘I’ll win easily,’ said Holly. Mei just smiled. ‘May the best boat win!’
‘Ready, steady, GO!’ The boats shot forward. Holly zoomed ahead. Mei paddled hard but fell behind. Then Mei saw Yuki stuck on a rock, with water rising round her feet.
Mei had a choice. Win the race, or help a friend. Mei turned the boat round without a second thought. ‘Hop on!’ she called. Yuki jumped in, and they paddled on together.
Soon they passed another stuck boat, and another. Mei helped them all. By the time they reached the end, Mei’s boat was full of friends, and everybody was singing.
Holly had won. But when Holly looked back and saw everyone laughing in Mei’s boat, she frowned. ‘It looks more fun over there,’ she said. Mei shared the a trophy of shells, and Holly got the biggest piece.
The little lesson
Teamwork beats speed.
Let’s talk about it
- Who helped Mei at the end?
- What would your boat look like?
Finish stories to collect Mei as a sticker in your Sticker Book.
More Jungle stories
Splash! Toby and the River Race
Every jungle animal enters the big river race. Can Toby win with a leaf boat?
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?
You might also like
The Lost Crown of Oscar
The royal crown has vanished! Oscar follows the clues round the castle.
Suki’s Mud Cup
Rain pours on match day, but Suki has an idea that makes the game the muddiest, happiest ever.
Wren the Goalkeeper
Wren is scared of the ball flying at the goal. Can a brave heart help?