Tommy smiled back at Hubert. He did not mind at all. Good night, he said politely as he continued to slowly walk away. And sure enough, Hubert walked over to a pile of nice, comfy grass, and curled up. Before Tommy had moved even a few more feet, Hubert was asleep!
Tommy kept on going, and soon, long after Hubert had stopped for a nap, Tommy realized that he could see the finish line! He kept going, step by step, and even though the crowds could see that the tortoise was about to win, no one wanted to cheer, for they did not want to wake up the hare. So, they watched very, very closely and very, very quietly.
But, just before Tommy could cross the finish line, Hubert woke up! Hubert blinked and looked around and realized that the sun was almost set. He had to win the race!! So, off Hubert went. He ran as fast as he could and he had never run faster than he was right that minute. He ran faster and faster.
Go, Tommy, go!! animals started to call out. They could see that Hubert was coming quicker and quicker. But, Hubert was not quick enough! Tommy was too close to the finish line!
So, for the first time, Hubert lost and Tommy won. Everyone cheered for him, and Tommy was very proud. Hubert was very angry. He yelled and he screamed and he said that he had gotten to the finish line so many times already that he could not have lost! But, because he never crossed the finish line, he was not the winner.
Tommy smiled at Hubert. Slow and steady wins the race, he said.
The Lion and The Mouse
One day, a small mouse was running around throughout a cave. The mouse was trying to be very quiet, for the mouse knew that a big, strong lion lived in the cave. But, the cave was the best place that the mouse could hide from the big falcon that was outside, looking for food. So, the mouse decided to hide in the cave. He was looking for a good place to hide away, knowing that the lion that lived in the cave liked to sleep during the day and was only really awake at night.
So, Mouse kept his paws crossed that this day would be like any other day, and the lion would stay asleep. He knew that he would be able to hide out and be quiet, but he just needed to find a good spot.
As Mouse looked around the cave, he saw a hole in the wall that looked like it would be the perfect hiding place. But, it was right next to the big sleeping lion. With no other choice, Mouse moved closer and closer to the lion. He tiptoed as quietly as he could, using one paw at a time to slowly and steadily creep all the way across the floor of the cave. He was very careful to be quiet, and he did a very, very good job at it.
But, in his sleep, the lions tail twitched and landed on the ground next to Mouse. It kicked up a little cloud of dust that tickled Mouses nose. Mouse tried very hard not to sneeze, but sure enough, he did. Ah Ah ACHOO! Mouse rubbed his nose and sniffled before he frozedid he wake up the lion? Sure enough, the lion was looking right at him.
Eep! squeaked Mouse and he tried to run all the way into the little hole. But, Lion was faster and Lion put a big, strong paw right onto Mouses tail. Ow! Let me go! squealed Mouse, trying to pull his tail out from under the lions paw.
Why should I? asked Lion. Im hungry and you woke me up from my nap. Everyone knows that lions are hungry when they wake up, and you woke me up. But, you are right here and I could eat you up and then go back to sleep!
Mouse looked up at Lion in fright. He didnt want to be lunch! Im sorry, Mr. Lion! he squeaked. But please, let me down! I promise Ill be careful next time!
The Lion frowned and picked np the mouse in his paw, holding him from his tail. He pulled the mouse closer and closer to his mouth and opened up his big, mighty jaws, and Mouse saw teeth that were bigger than his tail!
Im sorry!! Squealed Mouse. Im going to be much more careful! But, why would you want to eat such a little mouse? I would not taste good and I am too small to make you full. Surely, you would be much happier with a worthier meal!
The lion looked back at Mouse for a moment and seemed to consider it. But then, something happened. Lion put Mouse down. You know, he said with a big yawn. Youre right. Youre not even big enough to be a little snack. Get out of here, said the lion as he got comfortable on the floor again, stretching out his back.
Thank you, kind lion! said Mouse. I promise Ill return the favor someday! And with that said, Mouse ran away.
Lion chuckled to himself. A mouse, save a lion? How absurd!
A month later, Lion went out on a great, big hunt. He went searching for something new to eat, for he was once again, very hungry. As he was hunting a pack of zebras, something horrible happened! As Lion walked underneath a tree, he suddenly found himself wrapped up in a big net that was stuck to the tree! He could not run away, for the rope was too big. He could not scratch or cut through the net either, because the little squares were too small for him to fit a tooth or a claw through. So, Lion was stuck!
Lion roared and roared as he tried to get out. He shook himself, but nothing happened. He tried to run away, but nothing happened. He tried to chew through the net, but again, nothing happened. Angry and stuck, Lion roared again.
But this time, Mouse happened to be nearby. He heard the roar and thought of the Lion that had let him go, not too long ago. I wonder if thats Lion he wondered out loud. He started to walk away, but then he remembered his promise. Maybe I should go see if hes okay, said Mouse to himself, so off he went.
It did not take very long to find Lionhe was very busy making very big, loud roars that were so frightening that no one wanted to get near him. But, Mouse recognized the little white spot on one of his pawsthe very paw that had held him up to eat himand he knew that it was the same lion.
Mouse did not hesitate at all. He went right up to Lion. Excuse me! he squeaked, but Lion did not hear him. Lion was too busy rolling around and trying to get out of the net, but as he tried to get out, he only made himself more and more tangled up, unable to escape.
EXCUSE ME! Mouse yelled as loudly as he could, and that seemed to be enough. Lion stopped roaring and fighting the net and turned to look at him. Lion looked very annoyed.
What are you doing here? asked Lion. Go away! he was very angry and growled at Mouse.
I think I can help, said Mouse. He looked at the net. It would take a very, very long time, but Mouse was pretty sure he could chew it up and let Lion out. After all, he owed Lion a debt, and he always repaid his debts.
Go away! said Lion. Lion was not happy about being stuck and knew that if he could not break the net, then there was no possible way that a tiny mouse could instead! He knew that there would be no point in trying for the little mouse, for the mouse would never be able to do it anyway! He did not want to get his hopes up, so he tried to push Mouse away. But, he was so tangled up that he could not push away Mouse. He could barely move.
But, Mouse did not want to go away. Mouse wanted to do what he promised, so he walked right over to Lion and began to chew on the net. Sit still! he told Lion as he held up the net to his mouth and chewed on it. He was able to chew right through most of it very easily because it fit into his mouth. It was not hard to chew through it all when he could pick it all up! So, he chewed and he chewed. He chewed and chewed some more, until finally, a little piece fell down.
Lion, seeing that this was working, stopped moving so much. He stopped and he waited and he sat as still as he could while the mouse chewed through everything. It took all night, and some of the morning, too, but mouse kept on chewing until he had chewed free the lion.
Lion, seeing that this was working, stopped moving so much. He stopped and he waited and he sat as still as he could while the mouse chewed through everything. It took all night, and some of the morning, too, but mouse kept on chewing until he had chewed free the lion.
When the net came loose and fell off. Lion stood up and stretched. He had been stuck like that all night and his body hurt! But, he looked down at the little mouse and realized something. Even though the mouse was so tiny, even he could be very helpful and very useful when it was time to help someone. Even he could really help Lion get out of a trap. Lion could not get through the net, but the mouse could, even if it took a very, very long time to do it. And for that, Lion was very grateful. He grinned down at Mouse.
It seems the tables have turned, said Lion as he stretched and bowed to the mouse. And you have saved me this time, instead. I must say, I did not think that you could do it, but you did! Lion was very, very surprised that Mouse could do something that he could not. Though Lion could not break the net with his strength, it was Mouses small size that allowed him to chew it up and break free.
And just then, the hunters that must have trapped Lion came running to check their net. They saw that Lion was not in the net and they looked very afraid, but Lion did not want to fight anyone. Instead, he picked up Mouse and stuck him atop Lions head. Ill take you home, said Lion. You deserve a break after all that chewing!
Mouse smiled and got comfortable in Lions mane. It did not take long for Mouse to fall asleep, but from then on, Lion and Mouse lived together in that cave and they became very good friends that always helped each other, for no matter how big or how small you are, you can still help someone else, and Lion learned that lesson on that very day. Lion learned that he could rely on other people, even if they were smaller, and Mouse learned that he could make a very, very big difference if he wanted to, even if it was only little by little. They both knew that they could count on each other!
The Fox and The Crow
One morning, in the middle of Shady Woods, Felix the Fox was walking along. He was very hungry and still very angry about not being able to get the grapes that he had wanted. He was also very embarrassed because he could not catch some grapes off of the top of a tree. So, Felix the Fox was trying to hide from everyone in the forest. Of course, that made finding breakfast very, very difficult.
Felix searched far and wide for a bite to eat. He looked over by the river to try to catch some fish. He tried very hard to catch one of the big, silver fish, but they were too fast for him. He tried to get one of the little silver fish, but every time he snapped his jaws, all he got were globs of weeds that were growing at the bottom of the water. He spat out the weeds and growed. Fm no bear, I guess, he said and he kept on going throughout the woods. Maybe hed be able to find something else god to eat, he told himself, so away he went.
Soon, he found a bush of berries, but when he took a bite, he found that they were very bitter and hard and that they tasted very, very bad. They made his tongue feel fuzzy and he did not think that it would be a very good thing to eat. So, Felix spat out the berries and kept on going with a groan.
Felix could smell something very yummy being cooked nearby, but he knew that meant that there were humans nearby, and humans should always be avoided. He did not want to get caught, after all! So, even though it smelled very good, he thought better of trying to go.
But soon, his tummy began to feel too empty. As Felixs tummy grumbled, he groaned. Fm so hungry, he said as he rolled onto the ground. He rolled all the way over onto his back, so his feet were up in the sky, pointing at the clouds. It was a very clear day, and he could not see a single cloud in sight! There was a bit of smoke nearby, and Felix was certain that it belonged to the humans that he could smell.
Maybe just a peek Felix decided and he rolled over and walked toward the smoke.
It did not take long for Felix to get to a tent that was built up in the woods. The tent was in front of a big fire, and there were no humans in sight. He could hear some sounds inside the tent, though, and he was sure that the humans were in there. But, he could see that the humans had left out a bit of foodthey left a piece of cheese!
Felix loved cheese when he could get it. So, he licked his lips and crept forward. He got closer and closer to the table with the cheese on it near the fire. He walked very carefully, listening very closely to hear if the humans were going to come out of their tent. But, it seemed like they did not want to come out. They were shut away inside and seemed to not think that they would be coming out any time soon. So, Felix started to move a little quicker.
Then, Felix jumped up onto the table to get the cheese. It was so close that he could practically taste it! So, he ran over to get the cheese and opened his mouth. But, just before he could get it, a crow swept down and took it! It flew away, cawing and cackling at Felix.
Felix was shocked that a crow would be that rude! He hopped off of the table and chased the crow down. He was not about to let her take his cheese! So, off he went to get her to give it back.
The crow had decided to sit in a tree, just out of reach. She was sitting there with the piece of cheese held in her claws and picking at it, little by little, but crows beaks are not very big, and it took her a long time to eat the cheese.
Felix looked up at the crow and felt very angry and very frustrated. He had wanted to eat that cheese for breakfast! So, he went right up to the tree that she was sitting in and stood underneath it. The crow stopped to look at him as he did.
Whats wrong? asked the crow. Are you jealous?
The crow sounded very smug as she ate her cheese.
Oh, no, of course not! said Felix. He grinned up at her. Im just admiring the beauty! He looked over the crow, who was eyeing him suspiciously. She did not trust Felix at all. But, he knew that he could do better. I was just looking at how beautiful you are! You are the nicest thing I have seen all day!
Me or the cheese? asked the crow.
Felix looked up at her in shock. Why, you of course! he announced back. You are the most beautiful thing I have seen all week! Why, look at the way that your feathers glisten in the sunlight!
Crow looked at her feathers. They sure were glossy! She took very good care of her feathers and worked very hard to preen herself as often as she could. There was no need for loose ends or feathers poking out! She wasnt a child and she could take care of her appearance quite well, after all! She looked down at Felix expectantly.
And look at the way that your beak curves! It is so perfectly straight! It looks so sharp, too, and strong! And again the crow felt proud of herself and her appearance. She worked very hard to keep her beak clean and it showed! She straightened up on her perch.
Oh, and look at your wings! How beautiful they look! I got a good look when you flew by, and how magnificent! They looked like they belonged on an angel! Felix called out for the crow. The crow spread her wings and held them out to show them off and Felix grinned back up at her encouragingly. You are just so beautiful! I just wish I could get a closer look at you!
Well, I think that could be arranged! announced the crow. She picked up the chunk of cheese in her mouth and flew down closer to Fox, standing up tall and held her wings out for him to see.