The Little Warthog's Friend

The Little Warthog's Friend - Author : Aysel Banu YAVUZAL

On the wide, sunny savanna, a little warthog lived all by himself. He had warm grey-brown bristly skin, a sandy tan snout, and two tiny curved tusks. His big floppy ears flopped as he walked, and his tufted tail swished at the flies. He had a cheerful shy smile, but no one to share it with. "I wish I had a friend," he sighed, watching the tall grass sway. 1

The savanna was full of life. Birds sang in the thorn trees, and butterflies danced over the yellow flowers. The little warthog watched them all, but he felt lonely. He would shuffle through the dust, kicking small stones with his tiny hooves. "Everyone has someone," he thought. "Everyone but me." He sat down under a shady acacia tree and let out a long, slow breath. 2

Just then, a small, slender creature zipped past him. It was a mongoose with light brown fur and a cream belly. Her long slim body moved like a whisper, and her bright amber eyes sparkled. "Hello!" she called, her thin whippy tail curling. "Why are you sitting all alone?" The warthog blinked. "I'm lonely," he said. "I'm too slow to make friends." "Slow?" laughed the mongoose. "I'm quick, and I think you're perfect!" 3

The mongoose introduced herself as Pip, and she grinned an eager grin. "I know a secret place," she said. "A hidden valley beyond the termite mounds. There's a stream and a fig tree and everything!" The warthog's small dark eyes widened with a friendly sparkle. "Really? Can we go?" he asked. "Follow me!" said Pip, and she dashed ahead. The warthog hurried after her, his floppy ears bouncing. 4

They ran through the tall grass, but soon the warthog fell behind. "Wait for me!" he puffed. Pip stopped and looked back. "Come on, slowpoke!" she teased gently. Then she smiled and said, "Let's go together." She slowed her steps to match his. The warthog felt warm inside. "Thank you," he said. "I'm not used to having a friend." Pip's bright amber eyes softened. "You do now," she said. 5

At the edge of the savanna, a rocky ridge blocked their way. "How do we get over?" asked the warthog. Pip tried to climb, but her short legs slipped. "I'm too small!" she said. The warthog looked at his sturdy body. "I'm not fast, but I'm strong," he said. "Climb on my back." Pip leaped onto his bristly skin, and he grunted and pushed up the rocks until they reached the top. 6

On the other side, the ground dipped into a green valley. "We made it!" cheered Pip. But the way down was steep. Pip's thin whippy tail wobbled. "I can't see the path," she said. The warthog's small eyes squinted. "I can smell it," he said. "Follow my snout." He led the way, sniffing the earth, and Pip followed close behind. "You're a good guide," she said. He smiled his shy smile. 7

Down in the valley, a stream gurgled over smooth stones. Fig trees spread wide branches, and bright flowers dotted the grass. "It's beautiful!" whispered the warthog. Pip dashed to the water and splashed her cream belly. "Come in!" she called. The warthog waded in slowly, and the cool water felt lovely on his warm grey-brown skin. They laughed and played, and the valley echoed with their joy. 8

Suddenly, a loud buzzing filled the air. A swarm of bees was angry because Pip had stepped too close to their hive. "Run!" shouted Pip. She zipped away, but the warthog was too slow. The bees buzzed around his floppy ears. "Help!" he cried. Pip turned back. "Quick, into the tall grass!" she shouted. She led him to a thick patch, and they hid until the bees flew away. 9

"That was close," panted the warthog. "Thank you for coming back." Pip grinned. "Friends don't leave friends behind," she said. The warthog felt a happy glow. "I thought you'd be too fast for me," he said. Pip shook her head. "Fast isn't everything," she said. "You're brave and steady. I like that." They sat together in the grass, catching their breath. 10

As the sun began to sink, they decided to head home. But the valley path was hard to find in the fading light. The warthog's small eyes couldn't see well. "I'm scared," he admitted. Pip put a gentle paw on his snout. "I can see in the dark," she said. "My amber eyes are sharp. Follow me." She led him step by step, her whippy tail guiding the way like a little flag. 11

They climbed back over the ridge, Pip riding on the warthog's sturdy back. "We make a good team," she said. The warthog nodded. "You're quick, and I'm strong," he said. "We help each other." When they reached the savanna, the stars were twinkling. "Will you stay with me?" asked the warthog. "Every day," said Pip. "You're my friend, and being different is special." 12

The warthog's tufted tail wagged with happiness. "I used to think being slow was bad," he said. "But now I know it's just me. And you like me anyway." Pip smiled. "I don't like you anyway," she said. "I like you because of who you are. Your floppy ears, your tiny tusks, your kind heart." The warthog felt warm all over. "And I like your quick feet and your bright eyes," he said.