Zebby and the Rules of the Road

7-9 min read
15 pages

In a busy little town lives a most unusual zebra named Zebby, who watches over the children as they cross the street each day. But what happens when someone thinks he's far too fast to bother stopping? This cheerful, wise little story teaches the youngest readers the rules of crossing safely — and shows that real bravery means being careful and paying attention.

In a busy little town there lived a small zebra named Zebby. Yes, yes — a real, true zebra! Only not the ordinary kind. He didn't gallop across the savanna at all. He lived beside a school, and he worked… as a crosswalk!

That's right — he was the very crossing that helps children get safely to the other side. Every morning he laid his black-and-white stripes out flat on the road and switched on his most magical, cheerful voice.

“Come along, children! Stay on the stripes — nice and safe! Don't rush, don't hop, don't ride your scooter until the cars have stopped!” And everybody listened to Zebby. Everybody except one…

His name was Timmy. A little rascal with a headful of curls and a funny backpack shaped like a dinosaur.

Timmy was absolutely certain he was “superfast, like a rocket,” so one day he decided to cross all by himself, without waiting for the green light to shine.

“Timmy, stop!” cried Zebby, waving his stripes. “There are still cars coming!” “Oh, come on, Zebby! I'm quick as lightning — zoom! — and I'm already on the other side!” said the boy, and off he dashed.

But all at once — Screeeeech! — a sharp braking, a frightened driver, a puff of dust, a shout. “Were you trying to turn into a pancake on my hood?” A taxi driver named Mr. Sam leaned out. “That's not how we do things!”

Timmy stopped short. He hadn't turned into a pancake, but he was so scared that even the dinosaur on his backpack went pale. “But I thought the driver would see me and hit the brakes…” he mumbled.

“Listen closely,” said Zebby, shaking the dust from his stripes. “Even superheroes stop first.”

“Remember three steps to keep yourself safe: Stop. Look left and look right. Make sure the cars have stopped. And only then — go! No hopping, no running, and definitely not on a scooter.”

“And the traffic light?” Timmy asked quietly. “The traffic light is your very best friend. Red means 'stop.' Yellow means 'get ready.' Green means 'go.'”

From that day on, Timmy changed. He became… well, not exactly a snail, but certainly not a rocket either. He always stopped before the road, looked both ways, listened to Zebby, and waited for the green.

Sometimes, when no grown-ups were near, he even reminded the others himself: “Hey there, buddy! You can't go on red! Not even if you're in a really big hurry!”

And Zebby was proud of him. For what could be finer for a little zebra than a boy who does the right thing on the road?

Being safe isn't boring — it's wise. You must cross with care, only on the green light, on the crosswalk, or with a grown-up beside you. The number one rule for every walker: think before you step!

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Zebby and the Rules of the Road

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