All the animals cross the river to escape the fire, but not the proud cheetah. He braves the river to save another animal. A pourquoi tale perfect for a folktale unit. After the Last Page… Did you ever wonder why some animals have spots or long fur, why the giraffe's neck is so long, or why the sun can only be seen during the day? Through time, people have tried to explain different elements in nature by telling stories. A story that explains ''why'' is called a pourquoi tale. Read other pourquoi tales and then write one for something you are wondering about. Here is a list to get started: Why Mosquitos Buzz in Peoples Ears: A West-African Tale by Verna Aardema Her Seven Brothers by Paul Goble How Music Came to the World by Hal Ober How the First Rainbow Was Made by Ruth Robbins How Animals Got Their Colors: Animal Myths From Around the World by Michael Rosen and John Clementson Seedling books help beginning readers grow through engaging stories and kid-friendly photos and artwork. Best for reading at the earliest stages, these books use clear print, ample spacing, limited vocabulary, and simple story lines to help children practice word building, improve fluency, and garner a love for reading. Seedling has an established reputation both in the classroom and at home as one of the best book collections for young readers.