Episode 2 ·
Peko and the Secret of the Forest King
Leo the lion thinks he is the strongest in the forest. But when a tiny squirrel needs help, Peko the hedgehog shows him what real strength means.
🦁 Today's friend: Leo the Lion
The story
One bright morning, Peko the little hedgehog was walking through the magic forest. The sun slipped between the leaves, butterflies danced around his cap, and his green backpack bounced with every step.
Suddenly, a mighty roar rolled through the trees. Birds flew up from the branches. "Oh! Who's there?" whispered Peko, and his spines stood straight up.
Very carefully, he peeked out from behind a great old oak. In the clearing stood a huge lion with a mane as golden as the sun. "I am Leo, king of the forest!" the lion said proudly. "I'm the strongest here!"
Peko tilted his head and thought about it. "But does a king have to be the strongest?" Leo opened his mouth to answer, and at that very moment they heard someone crying. "Help! Help!"
They ran toward the voice and found a little bunny standing beside a stream. "My friend is stuck on the other side!" he sobbed. Far across the water, a tiny squirrel was waving its paws.
"Leave it to me," said Leo, and he leapt. But the stones were wet and very slippery. His paws slid in four directions, and with a great splash he sat down in the shallow water. "Even I can't get across," he sighed.
Peko looked around and noticed an old fallen tree. His eyes began to sparkle. "Let's build a bridge!" Leo lifted the heavy log, Peko showed him exactly where to put it, and together they laid it across the stream. The little squirrel ran over and jumped into the bunny's arms.
"You're so small, but so clever!" said Leo. "And you're so strong!" Peko laughed. "We did it together!" Leo smiled his biggest smile. "Now I know: a true king isn't the strongest of all, but the one who helps others." From that day on, Peko and Leo were best friends, because true strength is in kindness and friendship.
💛 What we learn
True strength is in kindness and friendship.
💬 Talk about it together
- Why did Leo think a king has to be the strongest?
- Why couldn't Leo cross the stream on his own?
- What did Peko and Leo each do to build the bridge?
- When have you and a friend done something together that was too hard to do alone?
🦁 Did you know? Fun facts about lions
Lions are the only big cats that live together in family groups, called prides. A lion's roar can be heard up to about 8 kilometres away. Male lions grow a mane, and it often gets darker as they get older.
✏️ Try it at home
Build a little bridge! Put two books a short way apart and try to connect them with sticks, straws or paper. Which bridge can hold a toy? Ask someone to help you, just like Peko and Leo.
What Peko says in the video
One day, little Peko the hedgehog walked through a magic forest.
Suddenly, there came a mighty roar!
Oh! Who's there?
He carefully peeked out from behind a tree…
…and saw a huge lion with a golden mane.
I am Leo, king of the forest! I'm the strongest here!
But does a king have to be the strongest?
Leo began to answer, but then he heard someone crying.
Help! Help!
They ran to the voice and found a little bunny by a stream.
My friend is stuck on the other side!
Leo tried to leap across the stream,
but the stones were far too slippery!
Even I can't get across!
Then Peko spotted an old fallen tree.
Let's build a bridge!
Leo lifted the heavy log, and Peko showed him where to put it.
Together they built a bridge and rescued the little squirrel.
You're so small, but so clever!
And you're so strong! We did it together!
Now I know: a true king isn't the strongest of all,
but the one who helps others!
And from that day on, Peko and Leo were best friends.
Because true strength is in kindness and friendship!
