Once upon a time, in a vast and beautiful jungle, there lived a mighty elephant named Jumbo. He was the biggest and strongest animal in the jungle, feared and respected by all.
With his thick gray skin, long ivory tusks, and powerful trunk, he roamed the jungle with pride.
One sunny afternoon, as Jumbo strolled near a river, he noticed a tiny ant struggling to carry a piece of food back to its colony.
The ant, named Nia, was moving slowly under the weight of the food, but she was determined to reach her home.
Jumbo chuckled and said, “Look at you, so tiny and weak! Why do you even try so hard? You are nothing compared to me. I can knock down trees and shake the earth with just a stomp!”
Nia looked up and replied politely, “Dear Jumbo, I may be small, but that does not mean I am weak. Everyone has their own strengths, even the tiniest of creatures.”
Jumbo laughed loudly, shaking the ground beneath them. “Ha! Strength? What strength could an ant possibly have? You are just an insect!”
He then sprayed water from his trunk and drenched Nia, making her struggle to hold on to her food. He walked away, still laughing at her small size.
Days passed, and the jungle remained peaceful. But one day, a group of hunters entered the jungle. They had one goal: to capture the strongest animal—the mighty elephant.
The hunters laid a massive trap near the river, covering it with leaves and twigs. When Jumbo came for his daily drink, he stepped into the trap, and with a loud crash, he fell into a deep pit.
Jumbo tried to climb out, but the hole was too deep. He struggled, using all his strength, but it was no use. The more he tried, the weaker he became. He trumpeted loudly for help, but no one dared to come close for fear of the hunters.
Meanwhile, Nia and her fellow ants heard Jumbo’s cries. She rushed to the edge of the pit and saw the helpless elephant.
“Jumbo! What happened?” Nia called out.
“The hunters have trapped me,” Jumbo groaned. “I am too big to escape, and no one can help me.”
Nia thought for a moment and then had an idea. She quickly called her entire ant colony. Together, they marched toward the hunters’ camp.
Hundreds of ants crawled into the hunters’ tents and bit them fiercely. The hunters screamed in pain, swatting at the tiny insects, but there were too many. Unable to bear the attack, the hunters ran away, leaving behind their tools and ropes.
Once the hunters were gone, Nia and her fellow ants chewed through the ropes that held the trap in place. With one final push from his strong legs, Jumbo managed to climb out of the pit. He was finally free!
Jumbo looked at Nia with tears in his eyes. “I was wrong to think that only size and strength matter. You, despite being so small, saved my life. I will never underestimate anyone again.”
Nia smiled and said, “True strength comes in different forms, Jumbo. No one is too small to make a difference.”
From that day on, Jumbo and Nia became the best of friends. Jumbo no longer looked down on smaller creatures, and he learned to respect everyone in the jungle.
Moral: Never underestimate others based on their size or appearance. Even the smallest can be powerful in their own way.
Kids and Health
Stress and coping: A guide for kids
All kids feel stressed at times, and that’s completely normal. Stress happens when you face challenges, changes, or difficult situations.
But did you know that stress isn’t always a bad thing? In fact, a little bit of stress can help you stay motivated, focused, and ready to take on challenges. The key is to learn how to manage stress in a healthy way.
What’s on your mind?
Are you feeling overwhelmed with homework? Nervous about an upcoming test? Worried about making friends or fitting in? Maybe you feel pressure to do well in sports, music, or other activities. It’s okay to feel this way!
Everyone experiences stress, even adults. But the good news is that you can get better at handling it. With practice, you’ll feel more confident and less worried when stressful situations come up.
Try these coping skills
When you face a stressful situation, you can take steps to calm yourself and get through it. Here are some things you can try:
1. Take deep breaths
When you start to feel anxious or overwhelmed, take a moment to breathe deeply. Try this: Inhale slowly through your nose for four seconds, hold the breath for four seconds, and exhale through your mouth for four seconds.
Repeat this a few times, and you’ll notice that your body and mind start to relax.
2. Stand strong and believe in yourself
Confidence is important when dealing with stress. Remind yourself that you are capable and strong. Stand tall, hold your head up, and tell yourself, “I can do this.” Positive self-talk can make a big difference in how you handle challenges.
3. Keep trying instead of giving up
When something feels hard, it’s easy to feel frustrated or discouraged. But instead of giving up, try again! Mistakes are a part of learning, and every challenge helps you grow stronger. Think of stress as a puzzle—you just need to find the right way to solve it.
4. Talk yourself through stressful moments
When you feel overwhelmed, take a moment to pause and talk to yourself in a kind and encouraging way. Instead of saying, “This is too hard. I can’t do it,” try saying, “This is challenging, but I will take it one step at a time.” Encouraging words can help you stay calm and focused.
5. Plan ahead
If you know something stressful is coming up—like a big test or a speech in class—prepare for it. Study a little bit each day instead of cramming at the last minute. Practice what you want to say. When you feel prepared, stress won’t feel so overwhelming.
Take good care of yourself
Your body and mind work best when you take care of them. When you feel strong, healthy, and rested, it’s much easier to handle stress. Here are some ways to take care of yourself:
1. Eat nutritious foods
Your brain and body need energy to handle stress. Eating a balanced diet with plenty of fruits, vegetables, protein, and whole grains can help you feel better and think more clearly.
2. Get enough sleep
Lack of sleep can make stress feel even worse. Try to get 9–12 hours of sleep each night, depending on your age. Going to bed and waking up at the same time each day can help your body stay rested and ready for the day.
3. Exercise regularly
Moving your body is a great way to relieve stress. Play outside, dance to your favorite songs, ride your bike, or do a fun workout. Exercise releases “feel-good” chemicals in your brain that help reduce stress and improve your mood.
4. Try relaxation techniques
Yoga, stretching, and mindful breathing can help you relax. Try sitting quietly, closing your eyes, and focusing on your breathing for a few minutes. This can help clear your mind and make you feel calm.
5. Focus on the psitive
No matter how stressful a day might be, there are always good moments to appreciate. Maybe a friend made you laugh, you learned something new, or you saw a beautiful sunset. Take time to notice and be grateful for these little moments.
6. Do what you love
Doing things you enjoy can help you feel happy and relaxed. Whether it’s drawing, playing an instrument, reading, or playing with your pet, make time for activities that make you smile.
Quiz
1. What is Nigeria’s official national language?
2. How many local government areas (LGAs) are there in Nigeria?
3. What is the national flower of Nigeria?
4. Which Nigerian musician is known for the hit song African Queen?
5. Who was the first Nigerian to win a Nobel Prize?
6. What is the name of Nigeria’s highest court?
7. Which Nigerian state is the largest in land area?
Answers:
1. English 2. 774 3. Costus Spectabilis 4. 2Baba (formerly known as 2Face Idibia) 5. Wole Soyinka (Nobel Prize in Literature, 1986) 6. The Supreme Court of Nigeria 7. Niger State
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