How The Lion Got His Roar Back

A big lion with a thick brown mane sat under a leafy green tree, looking very upset. His eyes were filled with tears as he let out a loud cry of frustration.

A Brave Little Friend

High up in that same tree, a small red bird poked her head out of her cozy nest. She looked down at the King of the Jungle and chirped, "Excuse me, Mr. Lion? Why are you crying? A big, brave lion like you should be roaring, not sobbing!".

The lion looked up, his chin trembling. "I lost my roar," he whispered hoarsely. "I can’t make any sound at all. If I don't get my voice back, I won't be a real lion anymore. I'm finished!".

The little bird didn't fly away in fear. Instead, she fluttered down to a lower branch. "Don't be so dramatic," she said kindly. "Let me see if I can help. Please, open your mouth wide!".

The Secret in the Mane

The lion did exactly as he was told. He opened his mouth so wide the bird could see all his big, white teeth. Bravely, the red bird flew closer and peeked inside.

"Aha! I see the problem," she chirped. Deep inside, right near his vocal cords, a small bone from lunch was stuck tight.

With a very steady beak, the bird reached in and carefully picked the bone out. She flew back to her branch and shouted, "Okay! Now try it again. Give me your best roar!".

The Mightiest Roar of All

The lion took a deep breath, puffed out his chest, and:

"ROOOOOAAAR!"

The sound was so loud it echoed across the plains and made the sun seem to shine even brighter. The lion beamed with pride. "I have my voice back! Thank you, thank you, little bird!".

The bird flapped her wings happily, glad she could help a friend in need. From that day on, the lion and the bird were the best of friends, proving that no matter how big or small you are, everyone needs a little help sometimes.