The Lonely Giraffe
The Lonely Giraffe is a story about a giraffe that is ignored and left out because he is different. All of the other animals of the jungle are friendly to each other but not to the giraffe. The small animals are even afraid of the giraffe because he is so big.
When the rainy season comes and the river begins to rise the animals become frightened. The animals hear a strange noise but they do not know what it is until the giraffe peers over the trees and sees a wall of water rushing down the valley. With nowhere to run, the animals begin to panic. The giraffe comes to their rescue by lowering his head and letting the animals climb up his neck and onto his back. He then raises his head and lets the animals climb onto tree branches just as the floodwaters reach them.
After the floodwaters subside the giraffe lets the animals slide down his neck back to the ground. From then on, all of the animals are friendly to the giraffe and he is never lonely again.
This book is a great teaching tool. My son and I read it several times and discussed in depth appropriate and inappropriate behavior toward others. It provided a great example that was simple and easy for him to understand.
