Snap
There once lived a large reptile that had a short, broad head and a blunt snout. This reptile lived in the fresh waters of Florida. He was an alligator, and his name was Snap.
Snap got his name because he loved to snap at everything in sight. Snap would play in the cool waters all day. He would swish his long tail back and forth.
A frog swam by Snap, and of course, Snap opened his powerful jaws and “SNAP!” Luckily for the frog, Snap missed.
“Whew!” said the frog. “That was close.”
The frog hopped quickly away.
A few minutes later, a lizard came along. Snap eyed the lizard for a very long time before he snapped at him. Luckily for the lizard, Snap missed him, too.
“Whew!” said the lizard. “That was a close call.”
The lizard slithered away as quickly as he could.
Next, a snake was sitting on the shore. The snake was laughing at Snap.
“Ha! Ha!” laughed the snake. “What’s the matter, Snap? Are you losing your touch?”
“Oh,” said Snap, angrily. “This just isn’t my day. I’ll get the next thing that comes along. You just watch this.”
“I’ll race you,” said the snake. “Look,, here comes a bird. Whoever gets the bird first wins. The winner will become the king of the swamp.”
“Oh,” laughed Snap. “This should be easy.”
The bird soared right in front of Snap’s nose. Up came the powerful jaws. “SNAP!” Luckily for the bird, Snap missed.
“Ha! Ha!” laughed the snake. “Looks like I’m King of the Swamp!”
“No, you’re not,” said Snap. “You still have to get the bird.”
“Oh, that’s just a formality now,” said the snake.
The bird swooped down within inches of the snake’s mouth. Luckily for the bird, the snake missed.
“Ha! Ha! Ha!” laughed Snap.
“Ha! Ha! yourself,” said the snake.
“Well,” said Snap. “Who is the king of the swamp now?”
Just then, the bird landed on a nearby branch and spoke.
“Neither of you is the king of the swamp,” the bird said. “The true king is the one who can live in harmony with all creatures here.”
Snap and the snake looked at each other, realizing the bird was right. From that day on, they decided to call a truce and work together to keep the swamp a peaceful place for everyone. And so, Snap, the snake, and all the other creatures lived happily in the swamp, each respecting the others space and enjoying the beauty of their home.
Moral of this Story:
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