One hot day, three birds sat at the top of a tree near a river. “There’s nothing to do,” said Pink Bird. “___1___ —nothing to do except sit in this big old tree,” said Black Bird. “Yes,” said White Bird. “Another ___2___ hot day.”

“Hey, birds,” said Crocodile (鳄鱼). He was listening from ___3___, floating (漂浮) on the warm water. “See those three large stones on the bank? They are about the same size. Let’s see which one of you can fly the highest while carrying one of the stones with your feet, whoever ___4___ will be the Best Flier.”

“What a great idea!” White Bird jumped out of the tree and went for the stones. The other ___5___ birds quickly followed.

“They won’t fly far with the heavy stones,” thought Crocodile. “When they fall into the ___6___, I’ll get a free lunch!”

“Ready?” shouted Crocodile. “Go!” Then he ___7___, “Or should I say lunchtime?”

The three birds lifted off ___8___ climbed high into the air.

Pink, black, and white feathers floated down from the sky.

“ ___9___ birds,” Crocodile said with a huge, toothy smile. “I can’t believe they really listened to me.” He looked up, waiting for them to fall out of the sky, but they ___10___ flying.

After a while, the three birds flew ___11___ and rested with their stones in the same tree.

“Oh, my dear! ___12___ your bodies have changed because of the big stones!” The floating Crocodile opened his mouth wide and ___13___ loud and hard, waiting for his free lunch.

“One, two, go!” The three birds let go of their big stones ___14___. All three stones dropped straight down, right into Crocodile’s huge, open, laughing mouth. The sudden ___15___ made him sink (沉) into the river. Only his eyes showed above the water.

Remember: Use our head, and we will find a way out.