One sunny morning in the jungle, a little bird saw the rhino charging through the trees, looking very upset.
“Hey, what’s the matter? Why are you running?” the bird asked, flapping her wings to keep up with him.
The rhino huffed and replied, “I heard that an elephant spread a rumor that I’m dead. I’m so angry, I’m going to charge at him to show him I’m not!”
The bird shook her head and chirped, “Don’t do anything foolish. That bull elephant is bigger and stronger than you. Why not use your brain instead of your horns?”
The rhino slowed down, curious. “What do you mean? What should I do then?”
The bird thought for a moment, then said with a clever smile, “Instead of getting angry, just go and thank him. Tell him you appreciate him making you popular. Everyone in the jungle knows about you now!”
The rhino liked this idea. So, he trotted off to find the elephant, a big smile on his face.
When he finally found him, the rhino walked up to the elephant and said, “Thank you for making me so popular! Now, all the animals in the jungle are talking about me!”
The elephant was surprised by the rhino’s reaction. He expected the rhino to be furious, maybe even to charge at him. Instead, the rhino was smiling!
The elephant grumbled, “I only said it as a joke. I didn’t think you’d find out.”
The rhino chuckled and replied, “Well, everyone heard it, and now they all know me! I guess that makes me even more special.”
The bird, watching from a tree branch nearby, chirped, “See? Kind words can turn even the biggest problem into something good.”
The elephant looked thoughtful, then said, “Alright, I’ll make sure not to spread silly rumors again. Friends?”
The rhino smiled, his anger gone. “Friends!” he said, extending his big, rough hoof.
From that day on, the rhino, the bird, and the elephant became good friends. They promised to only spread kindness in the jungle, making it a happier place for everyone.
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