Speaker 1: Yo. Hello, My name's Josephine and this is the Animal
Tales podcast, where you suggest the animals featured in our stories.
There are new tales to enjoy every Monday and Wednesday,
with a third premium only story every Friday. To learn
more about Animal Tales, please visit our new website at
Animal Tales dot uk, where you can now find stories
more easily by animal type. Yusufh is from Worcester in
England and he would like a story with a lion
and a tiger. You can learn more about these creatures
in the animal facts after the story. Ok. Are you ready?
That's good? Then I'll begin just one photo. Movies were
big business in Rainforest City, and one of its newest
stars was Yusuf, a tiger. Yusuf had been the lead
role in three blockbuster films in a row, and now
Yusuf's latest movie, The Jungle Dragon, had been the number
one film for four weeks running, so to celebrate, he
was holding a party in his Vermeiliad Hills mansion. All
the houses in Vermiliad Hills were big, and many were
owned by film actors, pop stars, and other major celebrities.
This meant that it wasn't unusual to see a curious
member of the public on the streets of Romiliad Hills
hoping to catch a glimpse of their favorite star, and
to night was no different. There was a lion on
the prow. That lion was What and what two things
above everything else. The first was movies. What couldn't get
enough of them, considering himself a super fan. The second
was collecting photographs with film stars, not just of film stars,
but with them. What wanted to be in the photo
with them, and that wasn't easy. Movie actors, especially the
famous ones, were protected by security guards and assistants, making
it extremely difficult for ordinary folk to get anywhere close.
But this evening, What had a plan. He was going
to sneak into Yusuf's party and get his photo taken
with his hero. There was one small hitch to this
daring plan. All the guests at Yusuff's party were tigers,
while What was a lion. If he tried to sneak
in as he was, he'd be noticed immediately, meaning his
chances of obtaining a photo would be zero. But What,
knowing this, had come prepared. He had a disguise the
driveway up to the mansion was steep and winding, lined
with the expensive cars of the guests. A gorilla in
a red waistcoat was guiding the finely dressed tigers into
the house, and so the disguised what made sure to
slip amongst them. Entering the mansion's hall, he caught sight
of himself in an enormous gold framed mirror. Pleasingly, the
lion barely recognized himself. He had used a brush on
dye to make his fur more orange, then carefully painted
black stripes on his face and arms. His smartest clothes
finished off the look. Rinning to himself, what set off
to find Usuf and get his photo. Laughter, excited, chatter
and thumping dance music filled his ears as he moved
from luxurious room to luxurious room looking for the movie star.
It was hard to pick him out amongst so many tigers.
Another red waistcoated staff member, a hyena this time, offered
what a drink from a tray, and it was as
he was taking one that he spied Yusuf for the
first time. He was outside on a white sofa beside
the pool. Several other tigers were with him, slipping out
through the door. What got as close as possible. He
was strangely excited to be so close to his hero.
Not only was his plan working, but the tigers around
Yusuf had finished their conversation and were moving away. This
was it, Now was his chance. He thumped down on
to the white sofa with an enormous grin on his face.
Hi useufh, he beamed happily. Great party er, Hi, answered Yusuf.
Curiously have we met before? Oh? No, said what, setting
his drink down on the side table. But I am
definitely a tiger like all these other tigers, yea, said
Yusuf with a frown. Except except you don't normally see
a tiger with a big furry mane. Big furry Maine
repeated what, sounding worried he'd forgotten about his mane. A
man was a bit of a giveaway that you're a
lion and not in fact a tiger. Er, yes, that
I erh forgot to shave this morning. I'm from a
particularly hairy family of tigers, you see, Is that so?
Said YUSUFH. And does your family also have problems with
their stripes? What's that? Asked? What? Because you're leaving yours
behind on my sofa, pointed out Yusuf. What looked down
to where the painted black stripes he had so carefully
applied to his arm were now imprinted on the white fabric.
Thinking he was about to be caught, what shot to
his feet. I'm sorry to have bothered. You really must
be going, he blustered as he backed away rapidly. This, unfortunately,
was in the direction of the swimming pool. In just
three steps, there was no ground beneath his retreating feet,
and so in he plunged backwards. Party goers rushed to
the pool side to rescue the flailing cat. As the frothing,
churning water went to murky orange from the dye and paint.
A large hand gripped his collar, hauling what from the pool.
It was a cross looking rhinoceros in a red waistcoat,
Right MATEI said the rhino sternly. You're coming with me?
What was thrown out? Moments later? What was sat by
the curb side the mansion behind him with the party
in full swing. He was sat in a puddle due
to his soaking wet clothes. Fizzle flumps, He said, I
was so close. If I'm going to get that photo
that I'm just going to have to try again. Half
an hour later, What was striding back up the winding
driveway in a fresh new disguise, a tiger printed onsie.
He'd even thought to pull the hood up, tucking his
mane inside the full body pajama suit meant he was
totally covered in stripes. Nobody was going to think he
was a lion this time. Most of the other tigers
had arrived by now, but the gorilla was still there
by the front door. Hello, there, said What confidently, as
he strode past with a wave. The gorilla, though, looked stunned,
his jaw hanging open. Wow, thought what, I really must
look good. He checked himself out briefly in the hall
mirror again, then marched through the mansion in search of Yusuf.
Thanks to the loud music, What didn't notice the gasps
of surprise from every one that he passed. Annoyingly, Yuseuf
was no longer by the pool. Uh, excuse me, he
said to a shocked looking tigress, But did you see
where Yusef went? All the tigress managed to do was
point back inside What went in that general direction, eventually
catching sight of the film star in the kitchen talking
to a much older tiger. Aha said, what, just one
photo then I'm done. But before he could take another step,
a large hand thumped down on his shoulder. It was
the rhino in the red waistcoat. What do you think
you're doing? The rhino growled. Um just er partying said
what then? Why haven't you got any clothes on? Demanded
the rhino What looked down at himself and then at
the other guests. They may be tigers, but they were
all wearing their best party frocks and outfits. What, though,
was just wearing a tiger printed onesie, making him look,
unfortunately like he was naked. Oh fizzle Flumps, said what?
As he was whisked away by the rhino and deposited
back on the street to get his photo. The lion
was just going to have to think of something else.
What was obvious was that the tiger disguises just weren't working.
But What wasn't going to let that beat him. He
returned to the party in something that he felt was
just as good. Unable to enter through the front past
the gorilla this time, What pushed his way through the
towering bushes and plants, then climbed over the fence. He
landed in a small area to one side of the pool. Perfect,
he grinned. Now all he needed to do was find
usef But he'd taken no more than a couple of
steps when a grumpy looking tiger in a yellow bow
tie thrust an empty glass at him. Get me another
one of those, would you? There's a good fellow, said
the tiger. Ah said what. Realizing the error of his
latest disguise, he had decided to dress in one of
the red waistcoats being worn by the staff at the party.
He had thought that this would allow him to move
about unnoticed, but instead he was being asked to fetch
a drink er right away. Sir said what, and scrambled off.
The last thing he wanted was for that tiger to
kick up a fuss about not getting his drink, So
what made sure to collect one and return with it
as quickly as possible? Ah? Good lad, thank you, said
the tiger in the yellow bow tie, from where he
was seated beside his wife. At last, what could concentrate
on getting his photo? Oh while you're here, said the
plump tigress beside the bow tied tiger. She was wearing
an extraordinary amount of necklaces. Are there any more of
those yummy little pastries? Um, I'll see what I can do,
said What. It took a while to locate some, but
it was worth the delay, just as long as nobody
suspected him. Ah, delightful, said the tigress, as what set
down an entire tray of the tasty treats. Happy to help,
said What, as he turned to go. Amazingly, Yusuf had
appeared just across the room. If what was quick, he
could nip over, get his photo, and be out of
here before any one was any the wiser. Just one
more thing, said the bow tied tiger, before what could move?
What is it, sir? He asked patiently, but never got
to find out. The tigress was suddenly clutching at her
many necklaces and clawing at her throat, her eyes wide
with worry. Vera, my love, Whatever is the matter? Cried
the tiger in the bow tie. She's choking on one
of the pastries, announced What, drawing the attention of everyone
around them. Nobody seemed to know what to do, and
every second that nothing was done was another second where
the tigress was unable to breathe. Somebody do something, wailed
Vera's husband. So what did? Joking is caused when something
blocks the airway to the lungs, in this case a pastry.
What rushed behind the distressed tigress and gave her five
sharp slaps high on her back. In some cases, What
knew this was enough to dislodge the blockage, but the
poor tigress continued struggling, so he hauled her up, put
his arms around her waist from behind, and poured inwards
and up five times. On the fifth tug, the offending
object shot out of her mouth, allowing her to breathe again. Bravo,
good lad, well done, jeered the bow tied tiger as
he helped his relieved wife sit down. That it was amazing,
said Yusuf, rushing over. I do believe you saved Vera's life.
Oh ah, it was nothing, said What. His disguise was
supposed to allow him to move around without anyone taking
notice of him, but now it seemed all eyes were
on him. Jerry called Yusuf, shouting across the crowded room. Jerry,
come here. The red waistcoated rhino came trotting over. What
can I do for you, boss, he asked. One of
your team has just done something truly remarkable, said Yusuf
as he thrust what forward? His quick thinking has saved
a life? Well you know me, boss, said the rhino.
I only employ the best. What's your name, asked Yusuf,
turning to the lion er, what said? What? Quite sure
he was about to be found out? Well? What? I'm
sure Jerry would agree that you've earned the rest of
the night off, grinned YUSEFH. So take off that waistcoat
and come join the party. You're now the official guest
of honor. Oh well, I don't think I deserve that,
spluttered What nonsense, smiled YUSUFH. What you did was truly heroic.
Tell me, is there anything I can do for you? Well,
there is one thing I can think of, said what?
Any chance of a photo? Animal fact? We all know
that tigers have stripes and lions do not. But did
you know that when lions are born, they are covered
in spots. Lions may be ferocious predators, but as cubs,
they are in danger even from other lions, so the
spots act as camouflage, allowing them to remain hidden. Tiger cubs, meanwhile,
are born with their stripes, but also with bright blue eyes.
They don't stay blue for long, though, lasting just a
few weeks. Thank you for your suggestions, Yousuf. We hope
you enjoyed the story, and thank you to all of
you across the world for listening to it. In addition
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another great animal tale. Goodbye,