One sunny morning, Hippo woke up with a big yawn.
“Today, I go home!” Hippo said, feeling happy.
He lived far from his pond now.
It was time for him to return.
“I must start now,” Hippo told himself.
“Come on, feet, let’s go!”
Once upon a time, Hippo wandered to new places.
He saw mountains and fields and rivers.
But he missed the water lilies in his pond.
So, taking a big breath, he began his journey.
Along the way, he met Tortoise.
“Where are you going, Hippo?” asked Tortoise.
“Home to my pond,” Hippo replied with a smile.
Hippo kept walking through a bright green forest.
Monkey swung down from a tree.
“Going somewhere, Hippo?” Monkey chattered with curiosity.
“Yes, back to my lovely pond,” Hippo said.
“Can I come?” Monkey asked.
“Of course! You can help me!” Hippo replied.
Together they walked, chatting all the way.
Suddenly, the sky turned gray and rumbled.
“Oh no! A storm,” Hippo said, looking to the sky.
Monkey clapped his hands. “We should play in the rain!”
But Hippo shook his head.
“No, we must keep going,” he insisted.
They marched on, singing through the raindrops.
“We’re strong, and we’ll find our way home,” cheered Hippo.
At last, the rain stopped, and the pond appeared.
“There it is!” Hippo roared, bouncing with joy.
They reached the pond, and hippo jumped in.
“I made it, I really made it!” Hippo laughed.
Monkey danced around the edge, feeling elated.
“Your home is beautiful,” Monkey admired.
Hippo nodded, “Thank you for coming with me, Monkey.”
“The pond is even better with a friend,” Hippo declared.
The end.