Alex was a giraffe who lived in a zoo with his mum, dad and other giraffe friends. As Alex grew, he 1 his neck was much shorter than the others’. He began to get 2 . But his mother told him that he was special. She said it did not matter how short or long his neck was. Alex tried not to think about his short 3 . But as his friends grew taller and taller, his neck 4 short. Sometimes the other giraffes 5 him, but his parents told him not to worry. They said that he should be happy with himself the way he was. He tried, but he could not even play in some girafre sports. He was just too 6 . One day, one of the zoo workers came and took Alex away. Alex was frightened. Would he have to leave the zoo just 7 he didn’t have a long neck? The zoo worker calmed Alex down and gave him some food. He felt better. Then he led Alex into another area of the zoo. There was a small 8 between the two areas. Alex was the only giraffe that could fit through it. Soon Alex’s parents came to see him. “I told you that you were special,” his mother said. “The zoo has made a place just for 9 because so many people want to see how special you are!” She was right. Visitors pointed to him and screamed 10 . They looked happy to see something so special at the zoo.