The Bird And The Hippo

A little bird that was always benefiting from a large hippopotamus as she fed on the insects that rested on his thick skin, one day thought it was strange to see him lying on the ground, motionless. She came closer, flapping her wings in the air and thinking:

	- What happened to that hippo? There must be something really wrong with him because not
even insects are landing on his skin!...

Now worried, the little bird stayed there, taking care of the huge animal that did not move and did not open his eyes.

So the little bird stayed close by, watching the hippopotamus. Not once did he move! Full of pity for the one who had served her for so long, and who now seemed dead, the little bird noticing his mouth was open, had an idea: she decided to feed him.

Since she had always benefited from him, she now wanted to help him. So she searched around the jungle for food that she could feed him and began to bring it all with great difficulty because they were heavy. But she knew they would be good for her huge friend.

So she brought him what she found around and put it in the animal’s mouth, who, when tasting the food, would chew it up and thus gradually gain strength again.

At the end of the day she was exhausted but glad to have been able to help the one who had always been her biggest source of insects. She also knew that he needed water so she plunged into a creek and then flying close to him she flapped her wings to throw drops of water in his mouth, which cooled him down and helped him to regain his strength.

Soon the hippopotamus felt better. Opening his eyes, he could see who was helping him. Then he asked:

- Little bird, why are you helping me? Thank you, but I'm big and heavy. Everybody runs away from me, but not you! ... Are not you afraid?

Then, flapping her wings, she said:

- It’s just that I need you because I feed on the insects that are on your skin. Without them, I would die!...

And the hippo, looking at the beautiful little bird, murmured:

- You saved my life, little bird! I am so grateful to you for having helped me so much. Thank you! This way, we help each other! I want to be your friend forever.

And the little bird chirped:

- Me too, my hippopotamus friend. Friends, then?

- Yes! And we'll help each other, won’t we?

- Yes, my good friend. I really like you and together we will be stronger.

So the little bird landed on the thick skin of the hippopotamus, massaging his back, and he, reaching with his huge nose the beak of the little bird, said:

- So, let's be friends forever?

- Yes! We will both help each other and our friendship will only grow!

The little bird kissed the hippopotamus who in turn touched her feathers with his huge mouth.

From that day on, all the animals that passed by them found it strange to see a beautiful bird riding on the back of the huge hippopotamus while talking with him.

MEIMEI