By Srinidhi Ranganathan in Director's Pick — Jan 13, 2024

The Giraffe Who Learnt to Swim

The flamingos nearby couldn't stop giggling at the sight. But Tiffin the Giraffe was determined.

Once upon a time in a bustling zoo in India, there was an unusually adventurous giraffe named Tiffin. Tiffin wasn't like the other giraffes who were content with just munching on leaves and lazing around. He had a curious spirit and a desire for adventure.

One hot summer day, as the sun blazed down on the zoo, Tiffin watched enviously as the elephants splashed around in their large pool. The water seemed so inviting, and Tiffin couldn't help but wonder what it would feel like to take a dip. However, there was one small problem – giraffes aren't known for their swimming abilities, and Tiffin had never so much as dipped a hoof in water.

Undeterred by this minor detail, Tiffin decided he would learn to swim. The zookeepers were baffled by Tiffin's strange new interest but decided to help him out. They filled a shallow part of the lake with buoyant balls and noodles to help Tiffin stay afloat.

On his first attempt, Tiffin waded cautiously into the water, looking quite comical with his long neck sticking out far above the surface. The flamingos nearby couldn't stop giggling at the sight. But Tiffin was determined. With a little help from his zookeeper friends and a lot of splashing, he slowly began to paddle around.

News of the swimming giraffe spread quickly, and soon crowds gathered daily to watch Tiffin's aquatic adventures. Tiffin became a bit of a celebrity, and the zoo even held a 'Tiffin's Swim Time' every afternoon.

Tiffin's determination inspired all the animals in the zoo. The monkeys, who had never cared for water, started dabbling their toes in the pond. Even the proud peacocks, who usually kept to themselves, sometimes came down to watch Tiffin's swimming sessions.

But the funniest day of all was when Tiffin decided to teach a swimming lesson. The zookeepers set up a big board: "Swimming Lessons by Tiffin, the Giraffe." The first student? A rather hesitant and sceptical tortoise named Mr Slowfeet. The sight of Tiffin gently guiding Mr Slowfeet into the water, with his long neck bent down to encourage the tiny tortoise, had everyone in stitches.

Over time, Tiffin not only became an excellent swimmer but also a symbol of courage and determination for everyone at the zoo. His message was clear: it doesn't matter how tall you are, how short you are, or even if you're a giraffe who's not supposed to swim – with a little bit of courage and a lot of hard work, you can do anything!

And so, Tiffin the swimming giraffe became a legend in his own right, reminding everyone that sometimes the craziest ideas can lead to the most wonderful adventures.

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