Why do rhinos have such baggy skin? Discover the answer in this toddler-friendly twist on one of the classic rudyard kipling just so stories. A friendly boy and a hungry rhino learn that manners—and cake—are best when shared.
Have you ever seen a rhino? They have baggy, loose skin. But how did they get their baggy, loose skin? It may have happened when they learned to share!
Once upon a time, there was a boy named Cyrus. He lived on a sunny island and loved to bake cakes!
One day, Cyrus made a GINORMOUS cake. It smelled so good!
A hungry rhino smelled the cake and raced to the scene.
Cyrus, being a friendly little fella, asked, “Would you like to share my cake, Mr. Rhino?”
But the rhino didn’t say anything. Nope, not a single word! He was so excited that he gobbled up the entire cake in one super-duper-BIG bite!
The rhino didn’t say “please,” “thank you,” or even “howdy-doody!” He ate so fast and so greedily that crumbs flew everywhere—all over his chin, all over his tummy, and all over his beach towel that was lying on the sand.
Without noticing the mess he made, the rhino took a dip in the ocean, leaving Cyrus surprised and a bit sad.
When the rhino came out of the water, he grabbed his towel to dry off. But he forgot about all the crumbs he had dropped on it! As he rubbed the towel against his skin, the scratchy, prickly cake crumbs got stuck inside his clothes.
He felt very itchy!
He rolled around in the sand to scratch his back, but it only made him itchier! He wiggled and wobbled, and he shimmied and shook until his skin got all baggy and loose from all the twisting.
“Oh no!” said the rhino. “Why am I so itchy?”
Cyrus walked over gently. “Oh dear, Mr. Rhino,” Cyrus said. “You ate the cake so fast that you dropped crumbs all over your towel! Now they are making you itchy.”
The rhino stopped wiggling and looked down. He finally understood.
“I made a big mess because I was greedy,” the rhino said sadly. “I’m really sorry I ate your cake without asking or sharing. Can we be friends?”
Cyrus smiled. “Yes! Let’s make a new cake together. And this time, we will eat slowly.”
From that day on, Cyrus and the rhino were best friends.
The rhino learned to be kind, and his loose, wrinkly skin reminded him to always share and never rush his treats.
The End.
0 Comments