The Leopard and the Tortoise

In the middle of a lush green jungle lives Lenny, a young leopard whose golden coat is marked with bold black rosettes. Lenny's favourite thing in the world is running, and his amber eyes gleam with mischief as he races the wind, the river and even his own tail. One bright morning he discovers a folded leaf pinned to a mango tree, announcing that a treasure is hidden in the jungle and that clues must be followed one step at a time. Convinced he can reach it before lunch, Lenny takes his small green satchel and sets off.

On the trail he meets Tilda, a calm tortoise in wire-rimmed spectacles whose domed shell gleams like polished stone. Lenny dashes ahead while Tilda moves with slow, steady steps, and it is she who notices the folded leaves and carved tokens he hurries past. As each clue slips by him, Lenny's ears droop, and he starts to see that speed is not always an advantage. This gentle tale by Jane MEADOW follows the two companions as they learn to walk together and to notice small wonders along the way. The story can be read on Kids Tale Book.