Once upon a time, in the middle of the tall, green jungle, there was a very special school. It was called Jungle School! The sun was shining bright, yellow and warm. The birds were singing a happy song, *Tweet, tweet, tweet!
* It was a beautiful day to learn. Today was a very exciting day at Jungle School. It was Snack Day! All the little animals sat on their little leaf stools.
*Rustle, rustle. * There was Monkey Max, swinging his legs. There was Lion Leo, shaking his fluffy mane. And there was Giraffe George.
George was very, very tall. His neck was as long as a tree branch! He was a kind giraffe, but sometimes he forgot things. Today, he was very hungry.
His tummy went *rumble, grumble, rumble*. He wanted a snack right now. Suddenly, *Whoosh!
* Polly the Parrot flew into the room. *Flap, flap, flap! * Polly was bright red, blue, and yellow. She loved to talk.
She loved to help. She was the best friend a giraffe could have. 'Hello, friends! ' squawked Polly.
'Are you ready for yummy snacks? ' 'Yes! ' shouted all the animals. 'Yes!
Yes! ' Mrs. Hippo, the teacher, walked in slowly. She was carrying a big basket on her head.
The basket smelled so sweet. There were yellow bananas, red apples, and big purple grapes. *Yum, yum! * George saw a shiny, red apple in the basket.
It looked so crunchy and good. He really wanted it. He reached out his long neck. *Stretch, stretch.
* He opened his mouth wide. 'I want the apple! ' said George loudly. 'Give it to me now!
' The room went quiet. *Silence. * Mrs. Hippo looked sad.
She shook her big head slowly. 'Oh, George,' she said softly. 'We do not grab. We do not shout.
We use our magic words. ' George felt confused. He looked at his long toes. 'Magic words?
' he asked. 'Is it a spell? Like *Abra-cadabra*? ' Monkey Max giggled.
*Hee, hee, hee! * Lion Leo smiled a big smile. Polly the Parrot flew down and sat on George’s nose. It was a silly sight!
A colorful parrot on a giraffe’s nose! 'No, George,' whispered Polly. 'It is a special kind of magic. It is the magic of kindness.
' 'I don’t understand,' said George. He felt a little bit sad. He just wanted the apple. 'Watch me,' said Polly.
Polly flew to the basket. She looked at Mrs. Hippo with her big, bright eyes. She smiled a nice smile.
'Mrs. Hippo,' said Polly politely. 'May I please have a grape? ' Mrs.
Hippo’s face lit up. *Smile! * 'Of course, Polly,' she said happily. She gave Polly a big, juicy grape.
'Thank you! ' said Polly. She ate the grape. *Munch, munch, swallow.
* 'Yummy! ' George watched closely. His eyes went wide. 'Did you see that?
' asked George. 'She said a word and then she got the grape! It was magic! ' 'Yes!
' said Polly. 'The word is *Please*. Can you say it? ' George tried.
'P-lease,' he said slowly. It felt funny on his tongue. 'Again! ' said Polly.
'Loud and proud! ' 'PLEASE! ' shouted George. It echoed through the jungle.
*Echo, echo! * 'Wonderful! ' said Mrs. Hippo.
'Now, try again. Ask for the apple. ' George took a deep breath. In and out.
He looked at the shiny red apple. He looked at Mrs. Hippo. He wanted to be kind like Polly.
'May I please have the apple? ' asked George. He used his gentlest voice. *Poof!
* It felt like magic sparkles filled the air. The room felt happy and warm. Mrs. Hippo beamed with joy.
'Yes, George. You may,' she said. She handed him the red apple. George took a big bite.
*Crunch! * It was the best apple he ever tasted. 'Wait! ' said Polly.
'You are not done. There is one more magic word. ' George looked at his apple. He looked at Mrs.
Hippo. He knew what to say. 'Thank you,' said George. 'Thank you very much.
' 'You are welcome, George,' said Mrs. Hippo. All the animals cheered. *Hooray!
Hooray! * George felt so happy inside. Not just because of the apple, but because he was kind. He learned that being polite is like a superpower.
'Can you guess what happened next? ' asked Polly. Everyone practiced their magic words. 'Please pass the banana!
' said Lion Leo. 'Thank you! ' said Monkey Max. The jungle school was full of giggles and crunching sounds.
It was a very good day. Remember, whenever you want something, you have the magic too. Just say the magic word. Can you say it with me?
*Please! * And don't forget *Thank you!