Speaker 1: Hello, and welcome to a special taster of our new
premium only story. We hope you like it. Hell Yale, Hello,
I'm Josephine and this is the Animal Tales podcast, home
to over four hundred and fifty stories written just for you.
Our Friday story is especially for our Premium subscribers only.
Florence is a Premium member from the Sunshine Coast in
Australia and she would like a story with a chameleon
and a rhinoceros. Don't forget to listen to the animal
facts after the story to learn more about these creatures.
For now, it's time to sit back and get comfy,
because it's time to begin the rhino and the Chameleon.
In the whole wide world, there were no better friends
than Florence and Sonny. They were inseparable, doing everything together.
Nobody could make them laugh like the other could. Nobody
understood them better than one another, and they never ever argued.
Florence was a Parson's chameleon. She was bright green with
a long, twisty tail and little grippy hands. Sonny was
a white rhino with a body like a tank and
two huge horns on her face. Florence often sat on
the front horn, gripping on tight as she guided Sonny
where to go. They were an odd pair to some,
but neither of them minded one bit. While out for
a stroll one bright day, Florence felt her stomach rumble.
I'm hungry, she said, I was just thinking the same thing.
Sonny agreed. Let's find some food. But they saw that
the grass was wilting and the leaves were dry and brown,
which wasn't very appetizing at all. From her perch on
Sonny's nose, Florence spied a small, battered fox. Let's ask
him where we can get some food, she suggested. Excuse me,
said the rhino to the fox, who was sunning himself
on a rock. Do you know where we might find
some food around here? Maybe, said the fox as he
took in the curious pear. But why should I tell you?
We're both very hungry, Florence said. But whatever we find,
we'd be happy to share with you. The fox sat up,
curling his tail around his feet and cocking his head
to one side. Very well, he said, there's a tree
not far from here that bears the tastiest fruit in
all of Africa. It's called honey fruit because it tastes
so deliciously sweet. That sounds wonderful, Florence said, her mouth
watering oh it is. The fox agreed, but you'd better hurry.
Once they're ripe, they go fast. Florence and Sonny thanked
the fox as they headed off in the direction he'd pointed.
It didn't take them long to find the honey fruit tree,
as it was hard to miss. It was huge, with twisting,
sprawling branches and large leaves that overhung a plummeting cliff,
and right at the top, high out of reach, was
one single honey fruit. We're in luck, Sonny said, there's
still left, but how shall we get it down? Florence asked, Well,
I could thump the tree with my horn until it falls,
the rhino suggested, or you could climb up and pick it.
They are both good plans, the chameleon said to her friend,
But I'll save you the headache. I'll climb up. Sonny nodded, carefully,
lifting her horn up so Florence could transfer to the tree.
Do be careful, Sonny called, don't get hurt. Florence was
grateful that her friend cared so much, but she was
a good climber and made it to the top with ease. Oh,
she said, sounding disappointed. I think I know why this
one hasn't been eaten yet. It's not ripe enough. Oh
that is a shame. Sonny called up. How long do
you think it needs to be ready to eat? I
don't know, admitted Florence. If you'd like to hear more,
please join our premium service. You can find out how
in the description. The premium service means you can listen
to all animal tales stories advert free, get bonus stories,
and we guarantee to turn your animal suggestion into a
future tale. I look forward to seeing you there.