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Why Tortoise Has A Broken Shell

You see there was a time when Tortoise had a shiny shell and he was one of the speediest animals in Tinga Tinga. He loved to race around and show off. One day Tortoise discovers that the Birds are having a Feast in the Heavens, but only the Feathered Ones are invited. Cunning Tortoise persuades the Birds to make him some wings and then races up through the clouds leaving the Birds far behind. When he arrives at the Feast Tortoise eats the lot! The birds are angry and pluck off his feathers so Tortoise falls from the skies and lands BOOF! on his shell. His smooth, shiny shell breaks into hundreds of pieces. All the Tinga Tinga animals carefully piece Tortoise's shell back together but Tortoise never moves speedily again.

Why Elephant Has A Trunk

You see there was a time when Elephant had no nose. So how did he smell? … very pongy indeed! Elephant couldn't swat away flies, or scrub his belly… he couldn't even blow his nose. Then one day snappy Crocodile snaps Elephant on the end of his stubby nose and he pulls, and he pulls and he pulls. Ker-doiing! Crocodile finally lets go. And guess what? Elephant's nose is all long and wiggly. Elephant has a long, wiggly and very useful nose indeed. Elephant decides to call his new nose a Trunk and, from that day on, Elephant can scrub and swat away the flies and when he blows his new trunk he has the loudest trumpet in Tinga Tinga!

Why Lion Roars

You see there was a time when Lion had lost his roar. Crocodile was snapping at all the animals in Tinga Tinga and ruling over the Waterhole. Lion could do nothing about it, he had lost his roar. Then one day Flea tells Lion that, if Lion dares to enter the Great Cave of Tinga Tinga, maybe he will find his roar. Lion plucks up courage and confronts the Great Cave. He roars with all his might, an even bigger roar comes back… But Lion stands strong. He roars again and an even bigger roar comes back. Lion's very own Echo! He has found his roar! From that day on Lion always roars with pride, showing any beast who's the real King of Tinga Tinga.

Why Monkey Swings In The Trees

You see there was time when Monkey didn't swing in the trees. He used to play on the ground and he loved to wind Crocodile up. Then, one day, the big rains come and Monkey gets stranded up the Mango Tree. Nasty Crocodile promises to save Monkey and take him to dry land… in exchange for one thing... His HEART! Monkey tells Crocodile to look away and picks the juiciest, reddest mango. Here's my heart! says Monkey. But I will only give it to you when you return me safely to dry land. Crocodile agrees but is furious to discover that Monkey's heart isn't a heart at all. It's a mango! Snap! Snap! Snap! Monkey runs up the tree. One day I'll get you! snaps Crocodile and, from that day on, Monkey swings from branch to branch keeping well clear of Crocodile's snapping jaws.

Why Hippo Has No Hair

You see there was a time when Hippo did have hair... lots of hair! So she was always harrumphingly hot. All Hippo wanted to do was to splosh in the Waterhole, but this was forbidden… water was for fishes. Then one night when Hippo is tossing and turning in her sleep a spark from the fire sets light to the end of her hairy tail! Hippo is on fire! She galumps through the bush towards the Waterhole. SPLOSH! Hippo jumps into the water. When Hippo surfaces she has no hair! Not a single hair on her hide! And from that day on Hippo is allowed to stay in the cool waters.

Why Tickbird Sits On Hippo's Back

You see there was a time when Hippo and Tickbird were not friends at all. Tickbird was fed up to the beak with Hippo's splishing and sploshing and splashing. Then one day Tickbird challenges Hippo to a contest. Who can drink the most water in a single gulp! Hippo can't believe her ears. Big Hippo versus Tiny Tickbird! The challenge is on! But little Tickbird outwits Hippo by cleverly using the tides and the sea coming in and going out. From that day on Hippo is not allowed to splosh in the Waterhole without permission and Tickbird is allowed to sit on Hippo's back and eat all the yummy ticks she can eat!