Once upon a time, in a big, green forest, the sun was shining bright. The sky was a beautiful blue. It was a perfect day for an adventure. Two best friends were walking on a soft path.
One friend was Lila. Lila wore bright red boots that went tap, tap, tap on the ground. The other friend was Tom. Tom wore a big blue hat that kept the sun off his nose.
They were looking for something fun to do. The birds were singing in the trees. Tweet, tweet, tweet! The air smelled sweet like flowers.
Suddenly, they heard a sad sound. Sniff, sniff, sob. What was that noise? Lila stopped walking.
Tom looked behind a big green bush. Oh look! It was a little Fox. Fox had soft orange fur and a very fluffy tail.
But Fox was sitting all alone. His head was down low. He looked very sad. Lila walked over gently.
Hello Fox, she said. Why are you sad? Fox looked up with wet eyes. I lost my favorite shiny stone, he said with a little cry.
It was a gift from my grandma. It sparkles like a star. I cannot find it anywhere. Can you help me?
Yes! said Lila and Tom together. We love to help friends. That is what friends do.
So, the three friends started their adventure. They walked together. Step, step, step. Where did you see it last?
asked Tom. I was playing near the Whispering Stream, said Fox. So they walked to the water. The stream went splash, splash, splash.
It was cool and clear. They looked in the water. They looked on the green grass. They looked under the yellow leaves.
Rustle, rustle went the leaves. But no stone. Can you guess what they found instead? I will tell you.
They found a little green frog! The frog said Ribbit, ribbit! and hopped away. Boing, boing!
It made Fox smile a tiny bit. Keep going, said Lila kindly. We will find it. They walked up a small hill.
It was a little bit hard. Huff, puff, huff, puff. They climbed up and up. Are we there yet?
asked Fox. Not yet! said Tom. Just a little more.
Finally, they reached the top of the hill. There was a big, big tree. It was the tallest tree in the forest. I played here too, said Fox.
Tom looked up high. He shaded his eyes. I see something! he shouted.
It is stuck on a branch! It was the shiny stone! It sparkled in the sun. Twinkle, twinkle!
Oh no! cried Fox. It is too high. I am too small to reach it.
Tom tried to reach. He stretched his arms up high. But Tom was too small. Lila tried to reach.
She stood on her tiptoes. But Lila was too small too. Fox tried to jump. Boing, boing!
But the stone was still too high. What can we do? asked Fox. He looked scared that he would never see his stone again.
I know! said Lila. We can work together. Teamwork is magic.
Tom, you lift Fox up. And I will hold Tom steady so we do not fall. Good idea! said Tom.
Tom was very strong. He lifted Fox up. Whoosh! Up went Fox.
Lila held Toms feet tight. Fox stretched his little paw out as far as he could. He reached... and reached...
and... Grab! Fox got the stone! He landed softly on the ground.
Thump. I have it! yelled Fox. He was so happy.
His tail wagged back and forth. Swish, swish! Lila and Tom clapped their hands. Clap, clap, clap!
Hooray for Fox! Fox held the stone close. Thank you Lila. Thank you Tom.
You are the best friends ever. But wait, there was a surprise. Under the root of the big tree, there was a hole. It glowed with a golden light.
Look at that! whispered Tom. Can you guess what is inside? Fox peeked in.
It is a treasure box! he said. They opened the box slowly. Creak!
Inside, there were not gold coins. There were not diamonds. There were three beautiful, glowing flowers. One was red, one was blue, and one was orange.
These are Magic Friendship Flowers, said Fox. They only grow when friends help each other. Lila took the red flower. Tom took the blue flower.
Fox kept the orange one. They put the flowers behind their ears. The sun started to go down. The sky turned purple and pink.
It was time to go home. I am so happy, said Fox. I found my stone, and I found a treasure. Lila hugged Tom.
She hugged Fox. The best treasure is being together, she said. They walked home through the forest. Tap, tap, tap went the boots.
Swish, swish went the tails. Hum, hum, hum went the friends. It was the best adventure ever.