was not like other flamingoes, as his legs

just didn’t work. Even though he could not do many

of the things they could, he was still able to make a

valuable contribution to the flock. Read how his

bravery was rewarded in this sensitively-told story.

For each book sold a donation will be given tothe James Hopkins Trust for special children.

Neil Griffiths

Illustrated byJudith Blake

RedR

obin

Neil GriffithsIllustrated by Judith Blake

£5.99

www.redrobinbooks.com

Neil GriffithsIllustrated by Judith Blake

JAMES HOPKINS TRUSTfor spec ia l chi ldren

Red Robin Books is an imprint of Corner To Learn Limited

Published by

Corner To Learn LimitedWillow Cottage • 26 Purton StokeSwindon • Wiltshire SN5 4JF • UK

ISBN: 978-1-905434-06-0

First published in the UK 2003New edition published in the UK 2006

Reprinted 2008Text © Neil Griffiths 2003

Illustrations © Judith Blake 2003

The right of Neil Griffiths to be identified as theauthor of this work has been asserted by him in accordance

with the Copyright, Designs and Patents Act 1988.

All rights reserved.No part of this publication may be reproduced, stored in a

retrieval system, or transmitted in any form or by any means,electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording, or otherwise,

without the prior written permission of the Publisher. Any personwho does any unauthorised act in relation to this publication may

be liable to criminal prosecution and civil claims for damages.

Design byDavid Rose

Printed and bound byTimes Offset, Malaysia

Red RobinB O O K S

Where story matters

This book is dedicated to Gwen Metcalfeand the special children at

Westlea Primary School, Swindon.

Neil GriffithsIllustrated by Judith Blake

From the moment Ringo hatched from his large, white egg, his motherand father knew that something was wrong. The other flamingo chickswere already standing and plodding along behind their parents.

Ringo did not stand up. No matter how hard he tried, he couldn’tseem to make his legs move. His mother and father did all they couldto help him up, but it was no use. Ringo would never be able to standup or walk, as he had hatched with legs that simply didn’t work.

In the days, months and years that followed, Ringo’s parents tookgreat care of him. They kept him fed well with freshwater shrimps,snuggled up close to him during the cooler nights and broughtwater in their large beaks for drinking and washing himself.

Ringo was usually very happy, and his cheerful nature helped himmake friends and become a popular member of the flock. The otherflamingoes would often visit him and tell wonderful stories of theirlong journeys across Africa and of the places they had seen.

They also helped him to move by huddlingtogether and lifting him into the shade, or toa new spot of his choice along the lakeside.

Ringo loved their company, but there were also times when he likedto be alone, as they did tend to fuss and spoil him. Sometimes all hewanted to do was sit quietly and think. The other flamingoesunderstood and knew when he needed a little time to himself.

It was during moments like this that Ringo occasionally feltvery sad. He would watch the other flamingoes and wish hecould march like tall soldiers as they did, or race across thesurface of the lake and sweep high into the bright blue sky.

But he couldn’t.

was not like other flamingoes, as his legs

just didn’t work. Even though he could not do many

of the things they could, he was still able to make a

valuable contribution to the flock. Read how his

bravery was rewarded in this sensitively-told story.

For each book sold a donation will be given tothe James Hopkins Trust for special children.

Neil Griffiths

Illustrated byJudith Blake

RedR

obin

Neil GriffithsIllustrated by Judith Blake

£5.99

www.redrobinbooks.com

Neil GriffithsIllustrated by Judith Blake

JAMES HOPKINS TRUSTfor spec ia l chi ldren