Long long ago, in the days where there were no countries, cities and societies. In the plains of Africa, there lived Peregrine Falcon. He was a very slow bird who was scared of almost anything. He hated to talk to other animals except his best mate Cheetah.
Now Cheetah was the exact opposite of Peregrine Falcon. He was bold and fast; friendly and cheerful. He was always helping Peregrine Falcon with his speed and confidence.
One day they were taking a stroll nearby the waterhole and Cheetah was telling Peregrine Falcon that he was going to participate in the Fastest Fiercest Race Ever. This was the toughest race in Africa! Only the best animals could win!
"I think i could win! I have the brains, the speed and the courage!" said Cheetah.
"D'you think I could win?" asked Peregrine Falcon.
"Um...well...you could! If you are properly trained and stuff."
"Can't you train me?"
"No ways! I'm competing...remember! Anyway, I need to train myself. I cant be wasting my time for some adequate! This is important!" And off Cheetah went.
This made Peregrine Falcon extremely sad and angry. So he slowly flew away and perched himself on a branch. Then he decided to go to the Great Grand Gumtree. In the Great Grand Gumtree there lived Wise Old Leopard. Wise old Leopard was very wise (of course)! He gave bee's buzz, lion's mane and Cheetah's spots. So surely, he would give Peregrine Falcon speed.
When he got there Elephant had just asked Wise old Leopard for something. She received a long nose.
"Good morning Peregrine Falcon!" she greeted.
"Do you know where Wise Old Leopard is?" asked Peregrine Falcon.
"Indeed I do! I just received a long nose from him! I call it, a trunk! Wise Old Leopard is on the highest branch of the Great Grand Gumtree."
"Thank you!" And he flew up.
"Good evening my child" said a sly voice. It was Wise Old Leopard.
"What do you want? I've got beautiful feathers, LARGE wings and..."
"I w-would l-like s-speed" said Peregrine Falcon.
"Sorry, but I cant give you that
"Why not?"
"I can only give you body features."
"But i r-really n-need it!"
"Why is that?"
And Peregrine Falcon told Wise Old Leopard the whole story.
"I cant give you speed but i can give you something else." said Wise Old Leopard.
"What m-might t-that b-b-b-be?" said Peregrine Falcon.
"Some milk from the Cocabure plant."
"W-what does that d-do?"
"It makes you super fast! Even faster than your best mate Cheetah!"
"T-that sounds...q-quite nice actually!"
"Just wait here!"
Peregrine Falcon stood there for Great Grandpa Donkey's years! Wise Old Leopard hadn't returned! The sun was about to set and it was almost time for the Fastest Fiercest Race Ever! What was he going to do?
Finally, Wise Old Leopard arrived with a weaved basket and green liquid inside it.
"Sorry i am late, as i was at the Cocabure plant I meet Weaver Bird. How kind she is... She gave me a basket that she made! What a talent! Anyway, she asked me for a long beak to pick up twigs for her new talent. And in return, she would give me some milk from the Cocabure plant!"
"Thank you so much for your time and effort but i really need to go!" said Peregrine Falcon confidently.
"Let me first give you some of this milk." said Wise Old Leopard.
It was time for the Fastest Fiercest race ever! The contestants were Springbok, Rhino, Elephant, Cheetah and Peregrine Falcon.
"On your marks...Get set...Go!" said Gorilla -who was the starter. The crowds were all cheering for Cheetah because they knew he was going to win.
The first obstacle was getting under the log. Elephant was in the lead. With her trunk, she lifted it over herself, and went under. Rhino was just behind. Not knowing what to do, he crashed into it. He was now out. Cheetah was just behind and crawled under it. Peregrine Falcon was last. As he flew under the log he thought, "Why isn't this milk helping?"
The second obstacle was running around a tree 15 times. Being so extremely LARGE, it took Elephant quite a long time to get around the tree. It made her dizzy and she fell down (she was out). Cheetah ran as fast as he could around the tree, and wasn't dizzy at all! Along came Peregrine Falcon. He went around the tree as slowly as possible, and flew off!
They were now neck and neck. Anyone could win. Now it was just racing to the finish line. Cheetah was in the lead, but only a foot away. Suddenly, a cold rush flowed through Peregrine Falcon and he crossed the finish line first!
After the race, Peregrine Falcon thanked Wise Old Leopard.
"The milk really helped!" said Peregrine Falcon.
"Well not exactly..." replied Wise Old Leopard. "The milk did nothing! It was all you! Believing that the Cocabure milk would help, it built up your confidence!"
"Really? Are you sure?"
"Defiantly!"
"Thank you for teaching me this lesson!"
"Don't thank me, thank yourself!"
Cheetah was furious! He stomped all around asking, "How is this possible! I am the ultimate best at racing!" And all Wise Old Leopard could say was,
"Maybe next time."
YOU ARE READING
How Peregrine Falcon got his speed
Não FicçãoThis book is inspired by Rudyard Kipling's "Just so stories" and two little boys who are obsessed with wildlife, animals and adventure. I recommend this to people who have children who are about 8 or 9. Enjoy!
