Runner and the Great Rift Valley

The story

Runner is always on the move and loves nothing more than a long run. When he finally talks Grumpylina into running out of class with him, he races ahead up the mountain and leaves her behind, until he slips and slides away.

He lands in a huge green valley in Kenya and soon runs out of breath. Lounging in a tree above him is a leopard named Haraka, who explains it's the altitude and dares Runner to try outrunning him.

The real place: Great Rift Valley

Three things to tell your kid after the story.

1. 1The Great Rift Valley is part of a giant crack in the Earth that stretches thousands of miles as the ground slowly pulls apart.
2. 2Much of the valley is high above sea level, so the air has less oxygen, which is why Runner gets out of breath so fast.
3. 3Many of the world's best long-distance runners come from Kenya and train in the highlands near the Rift Valley.

Next stop

EP 92 · Estonia

Grumpylina

Gets grumpy.

EP 93 · Vermont, United States

Shusher

Shushes everyone.