Tap the Tapir and the Jaguars - Arran, aged 10
Tap Tapir, a strong, fully grown adult tapir was an amazing swimmer. He could out-swim all the other tapirs in the entire magical Night Zoo. Generally, all the tapirs were happy; however, sometimes they were terrified. What was the reason for this you ask? Jaguars! Jaguars are the natural predators of the tapir, they try to take them for food and take their habitats too.
One day a jaguar approached the lead tapir and snarled, "I am bored of these attempts we have to take your habitat. Let's settle this once and for all. Let's have a swimming race to the end of the river. If we win, we get to take your habitat forever... you will have no home or place to live... your numbers will dwindle!
One day a jaguar approached the lead tapir and snarled, "I am bored of these attempts we have to take your habitat. Let's settle this once and for all. Let's have a swimming race to the end of the river. If we win, we get to take your habitat forever... you will have no home or place to live... your numbers will dwindle!
If you win, you get to keep your habitat and we will never come near you again!" (He must have been feeling quite generous that day!)
"Ok!" The lead tapir said, gingerly. Tap was obviously chosen to be the swimmer for the race but he was very scared. You see, Tap had never swum up the whole river before, and if he lost the race it would be a disaster (a lot of pressure for Tap!) Tap decided there was only one thing he could do... he would train and train and train and train and train so he could be confident about winning. |
The day of the race arrived. Understandably, Tap was nervous. Very nervous. In fact, Tap was so nervous that his normally sturdy legs were trembling. The whistle blew... Tap swam. He could hear the other tapirs cheering! Without realising, Tap swam even faster than usual. It is said that his speed almost reached 100 mph! With no trouble at all he left the jaguar challenger behind. Everyone was staring at Tap, smiling and cheering. He had won the all-important race to save the tapirs habitats for now and for all tapirs in the future too.
The jaguars, although pouting at losing the race, were true to their word and never went near the tapirs again. The tapirs' world was peaceful once more! - Arran, aged 10, Langham Village School, United Kingdom |