Hello,
My name is Wendy Bush and I'm going to read you a story called Wild Rides and Water Slides.
This book is dedicated to all the animals.
Thank you for making the world a better place.
Andrew the tortoise was grazing on grass when Zender the giraffe came strolling past.
Please tell me,
Zender,
What is it like to be tall?
I like it,
Said Zender.
I can see all.
The birds fly right past me,
Flapping their wings,
And there on a branch a small bluebird sings.
The squirrels have babies up in their nests and the view of the mountain is simply the best.
The tops of the trees have the juiciest leaves.
With sweet drops of dew from the crisp morning breeze,
I stretch my long neck and my long tongue too.
Would you like me to pick some nice leaves for you?
No,
Thank you,
Said Andrew.
That's not what I eat.
I like the grass and the shrubs you find at your feet.
Berries and pears are my favourite fruits,
And when fresh grass grows,
I eat the new shoots.
The two walked along for the next little while when Zender asked Andrew with a shy little smile.
Please tell me,
Andrew,
What is it like to be small?
I like it,
Said Andrew.
I can see all.
The tiny ants that run so fast,
And the hoppers and moths that always fly past.
The beautiful flowers that smell ever so sweet.
Their delicate petals are a scrumptious treat.
The day went on and they sat down together.
They had a wonderful chat while enjoying the weather.
He told her things you can see if you're small,
And she told him things you can see if you're tall.
Suddenly,
Andrew yawned a big yawn.
Goodnight,
He said.
I will see you at dawn.
He got himself comfortable inside his shell,
Shut his eyes tight,
And fast asleep he fell.
Now giraffes don't sleep for very long at all,
So Zender relaxed and chewed a cud ball.
She watched the bright stars move across the night sky,
Twinkling and blinking as they sailed slowly by.
Many wild animals only come out at night and can only be seen by the moon's light.
Some jackal pups howled and sounded so cute,
And Ophelia Owl gave a soft hoot.
A shiny black mamba came slithering by.
Her scales were as black as the midnight sky.
The bats dipped and swooped while catching their prey.
They hunt during the night and sleep in the day.
In the dark hours,
Zender spoke with her friends,
And then they tiredly all went off to their dens.
The sun then shined its first morning rays.
Good morning,
Dear Andrew.
I have much to tell you today.
I saw many things while you were asleep.
I will tell you about them while we have something to eat.
They ate breakfast together on the bank of a stream while Zender told Andrew all she had seen.
In the clear water swam a school of red fish,
Darting along with a splash and a splish.
Good morning to you,
Croaked Mr.
Toad on a green lily leaf Mr.
Toad rode.
Samuel the warthog came by for a drink.
He had a very large nose,
And its tip was bright pink.
In the soft mud,
Samuel dug with his tusks.
Then he sniffed all around to find the seed husks.
Yum!
Samuel grunted as he merrily munched.
He slobbered and slurped while he noisily crunched.
Samuel then jumped into the hole he had dug,
Rolled all around and got covered in mud.
I know a fun place,
Samuel then said,
While he packed some more mud upon his forehead.
Come follow me and I will show you the way to some great water slides where we can play the whole day.
Andrew and Zender were keen on some fun,
So Samuel stuck up his tail and in a circle he spun.
Hooray!
Samuel shouted.
We will follow this path.
It's easier to walk on than through the long grass.
Zeus is a cheetah.
He can run very fast.
He tucks his ears back and takes off with a blast.
His best friend Zara eats with much haste.
She enjoys all of her dinner,
Especially the tail.
Zeus and Zara have light brown fur with spots all over and they love to purr.
They love to walk and run,
Frolic and play,
And lays in the shade when it's hot in the day.
On that very day,
Zara climbed a huge tree.
On that very day,
Zara climbed a huge tree.
Hi Zeus,
She called.
Look up at me.
Wow,
Gasped Zeus,
Gazing up into the sky.
You really have climbed up ever so high.
Come down,
Zeus cried.
I'm afraid you will fall.
You have climbed very high and that tree is so tall.
But out on a branch,
Zara just sat.
I can't,
She cried.
This branch is starting to crack.
Zara was so afraid she began to quiver and quake and her knees began to shiver and shake.
Hold on,
Zeus cried and he turned and he ran.
I'm going for help as fast as I can.
He ran so fast he was a blurry sight.
He ran almost as fast as the speed of light.
Zeus ran up to Zender and explained the matter.
Zara is stuck and I don't have a ladder.
Zender hurried along to help Zara down.
Zara climbed down her long neck and jumped down onto the ground.
I can't thank you enough,
Zara purred with relief.
I'm sorry for causing you all so much grief.
All the animals then went off to the slides where they played all day long and enjoyed all the rides.
At the end of the day when the bright sun started to sink,
Sam said,
I will see you tomorrow and he gave a big wink.
I know a great place with a very dark cave.
We can go there tomorrow if you are brave.
If you shout you can hear your voice echo and inside the cave there lives a blue gecko.
The five good friends had found a great treasure and all of them knew they would be best friends forever.
Although they are different and are from worlds apart,
They all hold each other deep in their hearts.
They all sat down to watch the sun set then they huddled together and soundly they slept.
Samuel and Zeus,
Andrew,
Zara and Zender dreamed all night long about their next big adventure.
The End
