Once upon a time in the jungle, there was a short parrot who was always making fun of the tall giraffe. One day, a lion overheard their conversation and decided to play a trick on them. The lion told the parrot that the polar bear was looking for a new friend and that the polar bear only liked animals that were exactly average height.

The next day, the parrot went to see the polar bear, but the polar bear was too busy playing with a little snake. The parrot went back to the giraffe and told the giraffe about the polar bear's request. The giraffe quickly grew worried and asked the tiger for help.

The tiger suggested that the giraffe stand on the monkey's shoulders so that they would be the average height. The giraffe did as the tiger suggested and went to see the polar bear. When the giraffe arrived, the polar bear took one look at the giraffe on the monkey's shoulders and burst out laughing.

The giraffe, feeling embarrassed, asked the polar bear why he was laughing. The polar bear told the giraffe that he was not looking for a new friend, but rather he was looking for a new bedspread. The giraffe and the monkey, feeling foolish, went back to the jungle where they saw the short parrot and the elephant having a blast playing together.

From that day on, the parrot, the giraffe, the monkey, and the elephant were the best of friends and had many adventures together. They learned that height does not determine friendship and that it's what's inside that counts. The end.

Reflections

1. What did the parrot learn about friendship from this story?
2. Why did the giraffe feel embarrassed in front of the polar bear?
3. What lesson did the tiger teach the giraffe and monkey?
4. What did the polar bear want instead of a new friend?
5. How did the elephant and the parrot become friends?