Tākaro

Tākaro i runga i te Giggle Academy

Tākaro i runga i te Giggle Academy

The Lion and the Woodpecker

Kaituhi

Giggle Academy

A proud lion gets a bone stuck in his throat and is helped by a tiny woodpecker. When the lion refuses to share food in return, the woodpecker teaches him a valuable lesson about kindness and gratitude.

4 - 8 tau te pakeke

In the warm morning light, Lion walked proudly through the jungle. His mane shone like fire, and the grass bent under his steps. Then he coughed sharply. “Something is stuck in my throat!”

High on a branch, Woodpecker paused mid-peck. “That sounded painful,” she said. She fluttered down beside his huge paw.

“Let me look,” she offered. “You?” Lion blinked. “You’re so small.” “Small—yes,” she said, “but I am kind and helpful.”

Lion opened wide. Woodpecker peeked into the dark cave of his mouth. “One little bone,” she said. Tap—tug—POP!

Lion shook his mane in relief. “I can roar again!” he said proudly. Woodpecker bowed. “Glad to help, Lion.”

Later that day, Lion lay in the shade, finishing a large meal. Woodpecker watched from her tree. “Maybe he’ll call me down to share a bite,” she hoped.

She flew to him gently. “Lion,” she said, “remember the bone I pulled from your throat?” Lion yawned. “Yes. I remember.”

“I wondered,” she said softly, “if you might share a little of your food?” Lion chuckled, a deep proud rumble. “You helped me once—and such a tiny job! For that you expect this?”

Woodpecker’s feathers lowered. She stood very still. “Then I’ll save my help for those who care about kindness,” she said calmly.

She lifted her wings and flew back to her high branch. Below her, Lion kept eating, golden and grand in the grass. He did not look up.

After a while, Lion coughed again—harder this time. “Argh—another bone… stuck again!” he growled, pacing.

He looked toward Woodpecker’s tree. But the little branch was empty. Woodpecker did not fly down. Only quiet leaves fluttered where she once perched.

Lion coughed and coughed, his throat aching. And deep in the rustling forest, a small bird sang far away— a reminder that kindness forgotten may not return.