A Panda with a Big Appetite
In the bamboo forests of China lived a panda named Bao. Unlike the other pandas, who were perfectly happy munching bamboo all day, Bao had a special craving—noodles!
He loved them long, he loved them curly, he loved them steaming hot in a bowl. “Bamboo is fine,” Bao said with a grin, “but noodles are divine!”
Searching for the Perfect Bowl
One sunny morning, Bao decided to find the best noodles in the land. He padded down from the forest and into a bustling village. The air was filled with delicious smells—stir-fry sizzling, dumplings steaming, and, most importantly, noodles boiling.
Bao peeked into the first noodle shop. “One big bowl, please!” he said politely. The chef gasped—“A panda? In my restaurant?” But he quickly served Bao a steaming bowl of noodle soup. Bao slurped it happily, but shook his head. “Tasty, but not perfect.”
From shop to shop he went, slurping noodles of every shape—wide, thin, hand-pulled, rice, egg. Each bowl was good, but Bao was still searching.
Cooking Together
At the last shop, Bao met a kind old chef named Mei. She smiled. “Maybe the perfect noodles aren’t about the recipe. Maybe they’re about who you share them with.”
She handed Bao an apron. “Come, cook with me.”
Together they stirred, chopped, and laughed. Bao rolled dough with his big paws while Mei pulled noodles so long they almost reached the floor. Soon, a huge pot of broth bubbled, and Bao added vegetables from the garden.
Finally, they sat down together to eat. Bao took a bite—and his eyes sparkled. “These are the best noodles ever!”
Mei chuckled. “Because you made them yourself, and we shared them together.”
A Panda’s New Tradition
From that day on, Bao didn’t just eat noodles—he cooked them too. Every weekend, he invited his forest friends and the villagers to Mei’s shop. They shared bowls of noodles, laughter, and music under the red lanterns that swayed in the evening breeze.
And whenever someone asked Bao what made noodles so delicious, he smiled. “It’s not just the flavor. It’s the love you stir into the pot, and the joy of sharing it with others.”
The End.
Curious about pandas? Discover fun facts on National Geographic Kids. Then, bring the adventure home with our Magical Books & Activities — playful sets and cards to inspire little storytellers.
