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THE LITTLE
RHINO
By Sarah Duchess of York
Illustrations by Bunny & Magpie








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Rob peered over the fence at his next door neighbour. Johnnie had a new rugby ball that gleamed in the sunshine.
All his life he dreamed of playing rugby. Rob lowered his eyes and his shoulders slumped, as he realised he was only a little lad.
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One day, Rob’s mother and father were sitting at the kitchen table drinking a mug of hot tea and wondering how to help fulfil his dreams.
They remembered Great-Grandad Wilbur, a brilliant athlete, who had loved playing rugby.
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Rob was inspired by Great-Grandad Wilbur’s story, “I want to be like Wilbur, ” he had told his parents.
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They finished their tea, then climbed up into the attic. There, they clambered through trunks, boxes and old bags.
They knew that somewhere under all the dust, there was an antique rugby ball which Wilbur had once used the ball to win major tournaments.
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At last, tired and dirty, they found the brown leather oval ball, tied with string.
“It just needs a bit of spit and polish” said Dad, as he smiled reassuringly at the weathered old oval friend under his arm.
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When Rob came back into the house, Mum and Dad showed Rob the ball. Rob jumped for joy and even Bobby the cat meowed loudly with delight.
Nothing could be more precious to him than this ball. It was Wilbur’s ball and Rob felt sure he could get on the team.
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At School the next day, everyone teased Rob. They said “ You’re too small and your rugby ball is so old its got a beard.”
Rob was upset when he got home from school. He told his parents what had happened with big tears in his eyes.
“You may be small” said Dad, “but you are surprisingly fast on your feet, like a rhinoceros on the charge.”
A little Rhino, laughed Mum.
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The next day, the Little Rhino (our Rob), walked tall as a giant and drew strength from Wilbur who was kicking around in his heart.
Nothing would stop the Little Rhino, he was going to get on the team. 12


At the weekend, Frank the coach invited all who wished to join the team for a kick around and day out.
Frank, lived up to his name, he was always honest and straightforward. Everyone agreed he was the best coach anyone could wish for.
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Saturday came and off they went to the park. Rob stood as tall as he could, but compared to all the other boys in the line up, there was no way he stood a chance. Kevin, his oldest and best friend, towered over him but was a gentle boy with
kind eyes.
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Kevin and Rob went everywhere together and were always laughing. Weasel and Bert, their team mates, were constantly jibing growling mean jokes.
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Kevin and Rob started to throw Wilbur’s ball, it soared through the air, like a rocket flying to the moon. Frank noticed the two boys and thought “Hmmm
there is something about those two...”
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Little Rhino, our Rob, proved he was fast on his feet.
Frank eventually called the boys together to name the team out for the big tournament. All the boys whispered to Rob,
“Go home shortie. You’ll get squashed into the ground with the moles.”
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Nothing could stop Rob, with Wilbur’s rugby ball under his arm, he was standing tall as a giant. He would get on the team. He and Kevin were a team, Kevin would always throw the ball to his Little Rhino friend.
Nothing could part them.
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Almost the whole team had been named but Rob’s name was not among them. He refused to walk away. He stood tall and strong; he had the courage of a giant.
“Nobody will feel sorry for me, I am ready to take on anything,” he said under his breath to Kevin.
Frank, cleared his throat and said, “Please welcome the final member of the team, Rob.”
Weasel and Bert jeered, heckled and snorted at Rob and Frank. But Rob stood firm Delighted to have been selected.
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Frank shouted, “Silence. Show some respect and team spirit! Take that energy and save it for the tournament.”
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The big day came and Little Rhino ran onto the field, with jungle juice in his boots and a huge smile that nobody could wipe away.
He had dreamed of this day for so many years. He would show the world what he could do.
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Sure enough at the end of the match, when the crowd stood in appreciation of the speed and skill of Rob, the whole team lead by Kevin said...
“No Longer is Rob our Little Rhino, he is the finest and fastest of them all, he has the strength and courage of the whole team. He is our Rhino.”
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‘Tears never far away as rugby league shows support to Rob Burrow’ The Guardian (2020) www.theguardian.com
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‘Tears never far away as rugby league shows support to Rob Burrow’ The Guardian (2020) www.theguardian.com
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THE END








This book is a creation of Sarah’s Trust.
Sarah’s Trust is dedicated to being a voice and ambassador for the forgotten women, children, families and communities around the world. Sarah’s Trust works with, and supports, organisations and initiatives that reflect the ethos of our charitable work.
To learn more or make a donation: www.SarahsTrust.org
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To learn more or make a donation: https://www.mndassociation.org
The mission of The ALS Association is to discover treatments and a cure for ALS, and to serve, advocate for, and empower people affected by ALS to live their lives to the fullest.
To learn more or make a donation: https://www.als.org
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