How the Cheetah Got Its Speed

By William Worthington

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In the beginning, when the world was formed and new, all animals would be exploring their habitat and playing games together. However, there was one, lonely animal, who didn’t have any talents; he was called Cheetah. Every day, he spent his time sat in the shade watching the other animals, wishing he had their abilities. Although he would have loved to join in with them, he couldn’t: he was slow and couldn’t run.

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In the beginning, when the world was formed and new, all animals would be exploring their habitat and playing games together. However, there was one, lonely animal, who didn’t have any talents; he was called Cheetah. Every day, he spent his time sat in the shade watching the other animals, wishing he had their abilities. Although he would have loved to join in with them, he couldn’t: he was slow and couldn’t run.

Early one morning, a Horse – shining bronze in colour with a jet–black, leather saddle on its back – galloped over the dusty ground. “Good day,” greeted the Horse in a sophisticated tone, “Come along and trot with us.”

“I can’t run,” Cheetah replied.

“Everyone can run,” muttered the Horse as it trotted away to tell the others.

Early one morning, a Horse – shining bronze in colour with a jet–black, leather saddle on its back – galloped over the dusty ground. “Good day,” greeted the Horse in a sophisticated tone, “Come along and trot with us.”

“I can’t run,” Cheetah replied.

“Everyone can run,” muttered the Horse as it trotted away to tell the others.

Later that day, a brawny, muscular Lion with a golden mane blowing in the wind came over, “Hello Cheetah,” he growled with a deep voice, “Do you want to come and hunt some prey with us?”

“I can’t run,” answered Cheetah.

“Suit yourself,” Lion grumbled, starting to lose his temper, as he sprinted off into the distance to tell the others.

Later that day, a brawny, muscular Lion with a golden mane blowing in the wind came over, “Hello Cheetah,” he growled with a deep voice, “Do you want to come and hunt some prey with us?”

“I can’t run,” answered Cheetah.

“Suit yourself,” Lion grumbled, starting to lose his temper, as he sprinted off into the distance to tell the others.

As the sun rose the next morning, Cheetah opened his eyes to see a Leopard, who was young and playful, eagerly racing towards him. “Hi Cheetah!” he chirped, panting for breath. “Wanna’ come play running races with us?”

“I can’t run,” Cheetah replied.

“Oh, maybe next time then,” suggested the Leopard, sounding disappointed. He ran off tell the others.