25 The Hippo


The Hippo

There was a hippo who woke up one day to hear the most beautiful singing from a bird in a nearby tree. The hippo told the bird how he longed to be able to sit in a tree and see the beauty and to fill the air with song. The bird told him not to be silly to be glad he was such a strong hippo and a very good swimmer.

The hippo did not like this at all happy and decided he wanted to be like the bird. He came out of the water and made a first attempt at climbing the tree only, of course, to fail. He tried, again and again, each time getting angrier at his failure.

At last, his temper took over and he attacked the tree breaking off many branches. He stood on top of the branches and pretended to be at the top of the tree. Then made his first attempt at song. Another disaster, all that came was a loud and painful noise.

The other animals hearing this gathered around and began making fun of the hippo. He was so embarrassed he slunk slowly back into the river.  The other animals and birds began to cheer, and he began to swim like many of them could not. He accepted he was, in fact, a very good hippo.

It is not always easy to accept life the way it is but often it is the best for all. To be the best we can at what we are doing and not allow anger to dictate our actions.



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