The Croc's Tricky Whisper

In the warm, muddy waters of the Great River lived a baby elephant named Peanut. Peanut was fluffy, playful, and loved splashing, but he was learning to be careful. His mom, a giant mountain of gray, was always teaching him: "Always trust your trunk, Peanut, and never follow someone you don't know into the deep water."

One blazing hot afternoon, Peanut was trying to cool off near the riverbank while his massive mom dozed nearby. Suddenly, a long, green snout surfaced right next to him. It belonged to Snapper, a crocodile whose smile showed way too many sharp teeth.

Snapper tried to look friendly, but his eyes were darting around suspiciously. He leaned in close, his voice a slick, sneaky whisper that tried to sound like a close friend.

"Hurry up, baby, before your mom wakes up from sleep, come with me!"

Peanut froze. His little tail twitched. "Come with you where?" he squeaked, remembering his mom's warning.

Snapper made his voice sound urgent and excited. "To the Hidden Water Slide! It’s the best one! It’s a big, smooth log that goes whoosh right into the cool, deep pool! But we have to go now before the big hippos wake up and take all the good spots!"

Peanut’s tummy did a flip-flop. A slide sounded amazing! But his mom’s words echoed in his head. He sniffed the air hard with his trunk. He didn't smell berries, or fun—he just smelled river mud and fish.

Peanut took a big step back onto the dry bank. "No thank you, Mr. Crocodile," Peanut said, trying to sound brave. "My mom says I can only go to new places if she comes too. And... I think I like this patch of mud just fine."

Snapper’s friendly smile vanished. His sneaky eyes narrowed. He had hoped the promise of fun would trick the little elephant! He tried one more time. "But... it's the coolest water! You’ll be the first!"

Peanut shook his head firmly. "Maybe later. Right now, I hear my mom stretching."

With a disgruntled huff, Snapper sank back beneath the surface, defeated. He had tried to use a trick—telling Peanut to hurry so he wouldn't have time to think or tell his mom—but Peanut had used his good sense instead.

Peanut stood tall, proud that he listened to his mom. He let out a loud, cheerful trumpet sound, just to make sure his mom was truly awake. As she slowly lifted her huge head, Peanut knew he was safe and sound, having avoided the crocodile's deceptive plan.The Croc's Tricky Whisper

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