 
There was a time when Hippo and TICKBIRD were not friends at all.[]
TICKBIRD was fed up to the beak with Hippo's splishing and sploshing. Then one day TICKBIRD challenges Hippo to a contest. Who can drink the most water in a single gulp! Hippo can't believe her ears... Big Hippo versus Tiny TICKBIRD! But little TICKBIRD outwits Hippo by cleverly using the tides and the sea coming in and going out. From that day on Hippo is not allowed to splosh in the Waterhole without permission and TICKBIRD is allowed to sit on Hippo's back and eat all the yummy ticks she can eat!