How the Leopard Got His Spots explained

What happens

Themes in this chapter

• Adaptation and Camouflage

  The Giraffe and Zebra adapt to the forest with spots and stripes, and the Leopard and Ethiopian change their skins to blend in.

• Cunning and Resourcefulness

  The animals use their new patterns to hide, and the Ethiopian cleverly uses his fingers to create the Leopard's spots.

Characters to notice

• The Leopard

  The Leopard struggles to see his prey in the forest and eventually receives spots from the Ethiopian.

• Ethiopian

  The Ethiopian changes his skin to black and gives the Leopard his spots to help them blend into the forest.

• The Zebra

  Zebra demonstrates how its stripes help it hide in the stripy shadows of the forest.

• The Giraffe

  Giraffe shows how its blotches help it hide among the blotchy shadows of the trees.

• Baviaan

  Baviaan is the wise baboon who advises the Leopard and Ethiopian to change their appearances.

Key passages

• “I can smell Giraffe, and I can hear Giraffe, but I can’t see Giraffe.”

  The Ethiopian can sense the Giraffe but cannot see it because it blends into the forest.

  Highlights the theme of camouflage and the animals' adaptation.

• “You show up in this dark place like a bar of soap in a coal-scuttle.”

  The Ethiopian tells the Leopard that he is very visible against the dark forest background.

  Emphasizes the need for the Leopard to change his appearance.

• “I’ll make ’em with the tips of my fingers. There’s plenty of black left on my skin still.”

  The Ethiopian uses the leftover black pigment from his own skin to create the Leopard's spots.

  Describes the origin of the Leopard's spots in a playful, imaginative way.