In a school for animals, all different kinds,
There was a tortoise, slow but wise in mind,
And a flamingo, pink and tall with grace,
Who loved to dance and sing in any space.

One day, they were surprised to see
A volunteer, a rhinoceros, as big as could be,
And a female, a wise owl, with feathers so soft,
Who loved to read and teach, and never scoffed.

The male lion roared to call them to class,
And everyone settled down to learn en masse,
From math to science, and stories of old,
The animals soaked it up, never getting bored.

The tortoise was careful and steady with pace,
The flamingo was quick and full of grace,
The rhinoceros was strong and always ready to help,
And the owl was wise, never needing to yelp.

The school was a place for all to thrive,
No matter if they walked, flew, or could dive,
And the animals learned from one another,
To respect each other, and work together.

So if you ever feel surprised or unsure,
Just remember the school with a creature so pure,
And take a lesson from each and every one,
To be kind and learn, until the day is done.

Reflections

1. What were some of the animals in the school and what were their unique characteristics?
2. Why do you think the animals were surprised to see a rhinoceros and an owl in their class?
3. What lessons did the animals learn from each other at the school?
4. Why do you think it's important for different types of animals to work together and learn from each other?
5. Can you think of a time when you learned something new from someone who was different from you?