Zebra feared Lion.

“Lion is always hungry,” Zebra said. “If he finds me, he will eat me. I must hide.”

Zebra did not know how to hide, so he asked Monkey for help.

“Hide in a tree,” Monkey said. “Lion will not find you there.”

Zebra tried to climb a tree. His hooves could not grab the branches. His tail could not help him balance. He fell. THUMP! BUMP!

“I cannot hide in a tree,” Zebra said, standing up. “What will I do?”

“Ask Hippo,” Monkey said. “She hides well.”

Zebra walked to the river. He was afraid. What if Lion sees me?

Hippo was sunning herself on the riverbank.

“Hello, Zebra,” Hippo called. “What are you doing here?”

“I am looking for you, Hippo,” Zebra answered. “Will you teach me how to hide from Lion?”

“Sure. When I want to hide from Lion, I go for a swim,” Hippo said. ”I sink under the water. Only my nose shows. Lion never sees me.”

Zebra waded into the river until the water was around his ankles. He walked farther and farther into the river. The water grew deeper and deeper. Zebra began to worry.

“Go a little bit further,” Hippo called. “Then you will be ready to hide.”

Zebra didn't want to go farther. Water filled his nose. Mud clung to his feet. Weeds wrapped around his legs. He panicked.

“Hippo, help me!” Zebra called.

Hippo swam into the river. She helped Zebra get back to shore.

“I can't hide in the river,” Zebra moaned. “What will I do? Lion will catch me!”

“Why don't you ask Elephant for advice?” Hippo replied. “He is very old and wise.”

Zebra walked across the grassland. He had to find Elephant. He had to learn how to hide from Lion. Zebra heard a voice in the tall grass. Lion was nearby! Zebra was frightened. He was too frightened to think. He had to get away. He ran as fast as he could.

Lion followed. Zebra ran and ran. He zigged, and he zagged. He ran over hard, rocky soil.

Zebra could not run any longer. He stopped beneath a tree. He took deep, ragged breaths, and his legs shook. The branches rustled. Had Lion caught him?

“Hello, Zebra,” a friendly voice called.

The voice came from the tree. Zebra looked up. He saw Monkey.

“Why are you shaking?” Monkey asked. “Why are you so tired?”

“It's Lion!” Zebra gasped. “He's chasing me. I can't hide. He will catch me and eat me.”

Monkey climbed to the top of the tree. He looked around. “Lion is very far away,” Monkey called. “He is lying down. He looks exhausted. Are you sure he is chasing you?”

“I must have outrun him,” Zebra sighed. “What luck!”< P> “Are you sure it was luck?” Monkey asked.

Zebra thought for a moment. Monkey could hide in a tree. Zebra could not. Hippo could hide in the water. Zebra could not.

“I can't hide,” Zebra whispered, “but I can run! I have long, running legs. I am faster than Hippo. I am faster than Monkey. I am even faster than Lion!'

“You don't need to hide at all,” Monkey replied. “That's the way God made you!”

Zebra didn't feel tired anymore. He had a wonderful gift. Zebra ran off to tell his friends the good news.