Lila always wanted to be the best

In the savannah lived Lila the giraffe.

Lila was tall, very tall.

She ran fast, could see very far, and loved learning new things.

But most of all...

Lila loved to win.

When she won a race, she was happy.

When she found something before the others, she was even happier.

And when someone told her:

"Well done, Lila!"

Then she was really, really happy.

One morning, Malo the monkey came running up.

"Who wants to race to the big baobab tree?"

Samy the lion, Nino the little elephant, and Lila agreed right away.

Everyone lined up behind a branch placed on the ground.

Malo raised his arms.

"Ready... set... GO!"

Samy started off very fast.

Nino ran behind, making the ground shake.

And Lila moved forward with her long legs.

One stride.

Two strides.

Three strides.

She passed Nino.

Then Samy.

And she arrived first at the baobab.

"I WON!"

Lila hopped around the tree.

"Did you see? I was the fastest!"

Samy arrived just behind her.

"Yes, you won."

Lila smiled.

"Let's do it again?"

Malo shook his head.

"No, now we're going to do something else."

They went near the river.

Nino drew a big circle in the dirt.

"We each throw three little pebbles. Whoever gets the most in the circle..."

Lila came closer right away.

"Wins!"

Nino nodded.

Malo threw his first pebble.

Missed.

His second.

Missed again.

His third rolled into the circle.

"One!" shouted Malo.

Samy got two in.

Nino too.

Then it was Lila's turn.

First pebble.

In the circle.

Second.

In the circle.

Lila picked up the third.

She aimed for a long time.

A very long time.

She threw.

The pebble bounced off a stone...

And went out of the circle.

"Two!" announced Nino.

Lila looked at the pebble.

Then at the circle.

"Wait."

Everyone looked at her.

"That one was farther than the others. So it counts for two points."

Samy frowned.

"Since when?"

Lila thought for a second.

"Since now."

Malo burst out laughing and said:

"That's not how it works!"

Lila sighed.

"Fine... then I'm tied with Samy and Nino."

Nino smiled.

"Exactly."

Lila didn't look very satisfied.

---

A little later, Jojo the hippo joined them.

"Want to play guess the sounds?"

Everyone sat down.

Jojo started.

"What animal goes... RIBBIT RIBBIT?"

Malo raised his hand.

"A frog!"

"Right!"

Lila straightened up.

"I was about to say that."

Jojo continued.

"What animal goes... HOOT HOOT?"

Samy answered:

"An owl!"

"Yes!"

Lila stretched her neck.

"I knew that too."

Then Jojo asked:

"And what animal goes... BUZZZZZZ?"

Nino answered:

"A bee!"

Jojo clapped.

Lila looked at everyone.

"Okay, now I'll ask the questions. They'll be harder."

She thought.

Then she asked:

"What animal is the tallest here?"

Malo looked at her.

"Lila..."

"Yes?"

"It's you."

Lila smiled.

"Good answer!"

Malo slapped his forehead gently.

---

At noon, Baya the elephant brought a big watermelon.

Everyone settled in the shade.

Baya cut several pieces and gave one to each.

Malo bit into his.

"Mmmmm!"