2 Fire in the Jungle

Fire in the Jungle written by Pam Holden illustrated by Samer Hatam

When a fierce fire began to burn through the jungle, many animals were frightened. They could see bright red and orange flames, and they could smell smoke. They heard the fire crackling and snapping as it moved nearer and nearer. The terrified animals cried loudly to King Lion. "Fire! Save us! We don't know what we should do!" King Lion thought hard until he had a good idea. "Don't worry. I know what to do. Follow me to the waterhole," he roared. "We'll be safe from the flames and smoke there."

Quickly the monkeys went swinging through the trees. They swung from branches and vines until they got safely out of the burning jungle. They were very pleased to reach the waterhole. "Here's a safe place right beside the waterfall," they chattered to each other.

"Hurry!" squawked the parrots as they flew high above the treetops. They flapped quickly to the waterhole, where they perched on a low branch above the splashing waterfall. "We'll be safe from the fire here," they squawked to each other.

The lizards went running through the bushes after King Lion, until they reached the waterhole. They sat on some low rocks close to the chattering monkeys. "Don't worry. The fire won't reach us near the water," they told each other.

"Hurry!" hissed the frightened snakes as they slid through the jungle, following King Lion to the waterhole. They slithered right down into the cool water together. "Do you think we'll really be safe from the fire here?" they hissed to each other.