Petal the giraffe was always eating: it was one thing after another. Her friend Elsie had told her many times that those who gobbled their food got indigestion - or worse still - hiccups.

'What utter nonsense,' laughed Petal, 'I've never heard anything so silly!'

Tea was served as usual that afternoon at the Zoo. It was a splendid spread and as usual Petal gobbled without a moments pause. Then, as Elsie had warned, the 'attack' happened... 'HIC, HIC, oh, pardon, H I C...' They sounded like fireworks going off.

Petal held her breath, but still the funny noises kept jumping out of her. 'Water's the answer.' someone suggested. 'Let's get a ladder alongside her and fill her up with a few buckets.'

So, one bucket after another was poured down Petal's throat until she could hardly move. She eventually staggered off vowing to never gobble her food again.

by Sylvia Crèche

Author of the Mervyn Mouse Books