Synopsis: Three friends, a Zebra, Hippo and Gazelle teach a bossy lion a lesson.

Categories: Children’s Short Stories, Animal Stories

Number of Words: 707

Age Group: 3+

In the wild plains of Africa, there lived three best friends, Zesty Zebra, Hippy Hippo, and Gizzy Gazelle. Three friends that enjoyed where they lived, but there was only one problem. Leo the Lion was considered the “king” of Africa when really, he was only the one who thought he could boss and lead everyone in Africa.

Leon strolled the line area to make sure no one was crossing. The line is what Leon created for him and all the lions to share half of the land with. It was just a line in the dirt to show where the other animals weren’t allowed to cross.

Zesty, Hippy, and Gizzy, were wanting some of the food the lions were enjoying, but they couldn’t cross the line. The lions hogged all the food and only left scraps to the friends, but that wasn’t enough.

“What are we going to do? We have to take over that territory, it isn’t fair that we have all this land but can’t cross because Leon says so.” Zesty said. “I’ll run over there and I’ll grab as much food as I can.” Gizzy offered. “That’s a good idea, you’re the fastest out of all of us.” Hippy added.

While the lions weren’t looking, Gizzy ran with all of her might across the line to pick up as much as she could, although she wasn’t fast enough. Leon’s friends spotted her and chased after her, where she dropped all the food! So close!

The three gathered together to come up with another plan. “Alright, that failed, so now what?” Gizzy asked as they sat on a rock. The three went silent as they all tried to think of ways to cross the line.

“Oh, I know, what if we talk to one of Leon’s old friends? He knows all of his secrets and if he could tell us, maybe we can yell it all across the plains to embarrass him to where he doesn’t come back?” Zesty explained.

“That’s a good idea! Everyone in Africa will laugh at him and would never come back here after that.” Hippy said. And so that was the plan. It wouldn’t take long for them to find him, he always hung out at one of the tallest trees on the plains.

They began their short journey to the tree and spotted him instantly. “Hey, are you Leon’s old friend?” Hippy asked the lone lion. “Yes, why?” The lion turned to the unknown voice. “We need your help, to run Leon away from plains,” Zesty added.

The lion laughed and shook his head. “I can help with that. Leon and I are no longer friends because he became a jerk. I know a few things that can make him run away and never come back,” the lion grinned.

The lion and the three friends laughed until their faces turned blue from all the funny secrets about Leon that no one ever knew. These would for sure embarrass him and never want to show his face there again!

The three friends could not wait to spill all of his secrets. They thanked the lion and made their way back to the line. After some minutes, they all stood atop a big rock and shouted as loud as they could, “Attention Africa, we have some funny things to tell you about our lovely king of Africa, Leon!” Hippy shouted. Leon’s eyes grew wide and began to feel nervous.

“Leon is afraid of the dark so he has to sleep with someone!” Zesty confessed. The pack of lions laughed and laughed. “Yeah, and whenever Leon eats too much, he toots!” Gizzy also confessed.

The three were spilling secrets of Leon’s and his face turned red in embarrassment. His entire pack was laughing at him, as well as all the animals in Africa. He got angry and ran away, to where he couldn’t be seen any more in the distance.

Leon was so embarrassed, he was never seen again. He relocated to another part of Africa where he took control of the others over there. They erased the line and now all the animals could come together and share all the food, the water, and whatever else they needed without any problems.