The Bouncing Announcement

Zephyr Zebra bounced through Magic Forest on his striped hooves. The giant trees smiled down at him with their friendly wooden faces.

"Hello, Zephyr!" called Oak Tree cheerfully. "Are you excited about tomorrow's Giggling Garden Contest?"

"Contest?" Zephyr's ears perked up. He loved contests and adventures.

"Everyone in the forest will show off their best giggles and laughs," explained Oak Tree with a grin.

The Sad Sound

"Let's practice our giggles!" Oak Tree suggested excitedly.

Zephyr nodded and listened as the forest filled with laughter. But something felt wrong. Every giggle sounded hollow and sad, like crying pretending to be happy.

"Your turn, Zephyr!" called Maple Tree cheerfully, though her laugh had sounded strangely empty too.

Zephyr tried his usual zebra snort-laugh. "Hee-haw-snort-snort!" His silly sound echoed through the trees, making him feel embarrassed and different from everyone else's giggles.