

Lily loves pandas. She has a big panda toy that she hugs every night. She also has a book with many pictures of pandas. She likes to look at the book and learn new things about pandas.
One day, Lily goes to the zoo with her mom and dad. She is very excited to see the real pandas. She runs to the panda enclosure and watches them eat bamboo and play. She sees a big panda with a black mark on its nose. She thinks it is very cute and funny.
"Look, mom, look, dad!" Lily says. "That panda has a mark on its nose! Why does it have a mark?"
Mom and dad smile and come closer to Lily. They explain to her that pandas have different marks on their fur. Some have more black, some have more white, some have spots, and some have stripes. The marks help them to recognize each other and to blend in with the forest.
Lily nods and understands. She thinks that the marks make the pandas special and beautiful. She wants to have a mark too. She takes out her crayon and draws a black mark on her nose. She shows it to the panda with the mark and says, "Hello, panda, I have a mark too! We are friends!"
The panda looks at Lily and makes a soft noise. It seems to like Lily and her mark. Lily smiles and waves at the panda. She is very happy. She thinks that pandas are the best animals in the world.
