A little piglet named Stevie lived with his parents and siblings on a small family farm at the foot of the Rocky Mountains. All the piglets were happy there—except Stevie. He didn’t like that it was always chilly, that it rained so often, and that the wind whistled right through the pigpen.
Stevie was a very curious and brave piglet. He loved reading books about faraway places where the sun shines and winter never sticks around. One day he found pictures of Africa, and he fell in love. There were animals he’d never seen, exotic plants, and gorgeous beaches with warm, golden sand. Right then and there, he decided to set off for Africa—to escape the cold and find new adventures.
So one morning, before anyone else woke up, he packed his backpack with all his favorite things—his Africa book, a blanket, his stuffed animal, and some snacks for the road. He tiptoed out of the house and set off on a long journey to Africa. Stevie walked and walked, crossing meadows, woods, and fields. Sometimes he stopped to rest and catch his breath. Along the way, he met all sorts of animals who asked where he was headed. When he told them he was going to Africa, they shook their heads in disbelief. “It’s too far and too dangerous for a little piglet,” they said. But Stevie wouldn’t be discouraged, and he kept going, determined to reach the land of his dreams.
After many days on the road, the little piglet finally reached a harbor where great ships set sail for far-off places. Stevie slipped aboard one and hoped it would carry him all the way to Africa. He hid below deck among crates of cargo, sure no one would find him there. The ship slowly pulled away, and Stevie drifted to sleep, dreaming that in just a few days he’d be basking in warm sunshine on sandy African beaches. He had no idea what adventures and obstacles still lay ahead.
When, after a long voyage, the ship finally docked in an African port, Stevie woke to the clatter and clang of loading and unloading. He carefully climbed out from between the crates and stepped onto the deck. He could hardly believe his eyes—everywhere were exotic scents, colors, and sounds. He knew he had finally arrived in the Africa of his dreams.
With his backpack on, Stevie set out to explore the harbor. He admired the colorful fruit stands piled high with mangoes, pineapples, and papayas, and he marveled at the curious little creatures scampering about. Then he noticed a cluster of monkeys getting into mischief near the stalls. Curious, he crept closer to see what was going on. The monkeys were arguing and squabbling. Stevie spotted one little monkey sitting off to the side, crying. He felt sorry for her and went over. He asked what was wrong, and she said the others had taken her favorite toy and wouldn’t give it back.
Stevie decided to help. He stepped up to the quarrelsome troop and called out, “Hey, you there! Why did you take this little monkey’s toy? That’s not okay!” The monkeys stared at the brave piglet and stopped arguing. Stevie explained that taking other people’s things was wrong, and that they should apologize and give the toy back.
The monkeys realized they’d done wrong. They apologized to the little monkey and returned her toy. She leaped for joy and thanked Stevie for helping. They introduced themselves, and the monkey—her name was Lola—offered to show him the most beautiful places nearby.
The piglet and the little monkey became best friends and set off together to explore Africa’s wonders. Stevie met local animals and tasted delicious tropical fruit. Thanks to his kindness and courage, he’d had an unexpected, unforgettable adventure on day one. He couldn’t wait to see what else Africa had in store.
Stevie and Lola decided to explore the nearby savanna. On the way, Lola told him about all the animals who lived there—giraffes, zebras, elephants, and especially lions, the kings of all animals. Stevie listened, wide-eyed. He was a bit afraid of meeting a lion, but his curiosity was stronger. When they reached the edge of the savanna, he gasped at the beauty spread out before him. Tall grass rippled everywhere, and here and there animals grazed. Suddenly, from behind the high grass came a loud yawn. The piglet and the monkey froze—out from the stalks stepped a mighty lion!
The lion eyed the odd pair. “What are a pig and a monkey doing here?” he rumbled, padding closer. Lola whispered quickly to Stevie, “Don’t move—and do exactly what I say!”
When the lion was only a few steps away, Lola called out, “Oh, great king of beasts, we beg your mercy! This is no ordinary pig—he’s an envoy from a faraway land, bringing you a precious gift!” The lion stopped, surprised, and Stevie understood Lola’s plan at once. He bowed and said, “Yes, mighty lion, I bring you a gift like no other—a magical balm that will keep your mane forever shiny and grand!” The lion raised an eyebrow, clearly pleased by the thought of a gleaming mane.
Lola whispered quickly, “Now give him something from your backpack!” Stevie reached into his pack and pulled out a jar of jam he’d brought from home. He handed it to the lion and said, “Here is the wondrous elixir, great king of all animals.”
The lion sniffed the jar, opened it, and took a taste. “Yum—this is delicious!” he exclaimed, and in one big gulp drank the whole thing. He licked his lips contentedly, and his mane glowed in the sunlight.
“Thank you, envoy,” the lion said to the piglet. “You’ve shown me there are things in this world I’ve never known. You may pass freely through my kingdom.” Then he turned and melted back into the tall grass.
Stevie and Lola let out a breath. They laughed together at the clever trick that had saved the day. Side by side, they went on exploring the beauty and marvels of the African wild, excited for the new friendships and adventures still to come. They had many more unforgettable escapades—visiting tall waterfalls where they splashed and played with cheerful young hippos, then heading into the deep jungle to admire bright, colorful birds and exotic flowers Stevie had never seen before.
One day they went to the beach and met a bunch of playful penguins. Stevie was surprised that penguins lived in Africa, but Lola explained there are different kinds, and some make their homes here. Together they taught the penguins how to build sandcastles and played tag in the waves. Another time, Lola took Stevie to visit her family in the treetops. At first, he was scared to climb so high, but with his friend’s help and encouragement, he made it. He met Lola’s big family, and they all had fun feasting on juicy tropical fruit.
Days passed, and Stevie discovered more and more of Africa’s beauty and its many creatures. Even though he was very happy with his new friend Lola and loved the sunny weather, he began to miss home. He thought about his loving family—his mom, dad, and siblings—and how much he wanted to see them. One evening, as he and Lola sat by the river watching the sunset, Stevie shared how he felt. Lola hugged him and said, “I understand. I’d be sad without my family, too. You love them, and they love you. Maybe it’s time to go home.”
Stevie thought about it and realized she was right. It was time to return to the farm. Lola helped him pack and saw him off. When they said goodbye, they promised to be friends forever and to meet again someday. Stevie began the long journey home, full of memories of his adventures in Africa. After many days, he reached the farm and raced into his family’s arms. He told them all about his travels, about Lola, and about the beauty of faraway Africa. His family was so glad he was safely home. And Stevie learned that as exciting as adventure and discovery can be, the most important thing of all is having a loving family and good friends. And who knows—maybe one day he’ll return to Africa, but next time with the ones he loves most.
Fun Facts for Kids
