The Little Fox's Picnic

The Little Fox's Picnic Jane MEADOW

Freddie the fox lived in a cozy den at the edge of a sunny meadow. His fur was bright orange-red, with a white chest and a fluffy white-tipped tail. Around his neck, he wore a simple blue neckerchief. One bright morning, Freddie decided to have a picnic. He packed his woven straw satchel with a red-andwhite checkered cloth. He wanted to invite all his friends. 1

Freddie skipped through the forest, his satchel bouncing at his side. First, he visited Betsy the rabbit, who lived in a burrow under a big oak tree. Betsy wore a pale yellow sundress with white polka dots and a tiny green bow behind one ear. Her long ears twitched happily when Freddie said, “Picnic today!” “Oh, I love picnics!” Betsy cheered. “Will there be berries?” 2

Next, Freddie called up to Nutty the squirrel, who was perched on a branch. Nutty had a big bushy tail and wore a small brown vest with acorn-shaped buttons and a little red cap. “A picnic?” Nutty chattered. “That sounds fun.” He seemed a bit shy. Then Freddie found Pip the otter down by the stream. Pip wore a green scarf and carried a woven fish basket. “I’ll come,” Pip said with a gentle smile. 3

Freddie chose a flat, grassy spot near the stream, with soft moss and wildflowers all around. He spread out the red-andwhite checkered cloth and set down his satchel. “I’m so glad you all came!” he said. Betsy bounced up and down. Nutty sat quietly, looking at the empty cloth. Pip settled down, his long whiskers twitching. Freddie opened his satchel to show the food. 4

Freddie had packed a big pile of juicy red berries. “Look!” he said. “Berries for our picnic!” Betsy’s round eyes lit up. “Berries! My favorite!” she squealed. But Nutty’s bushy tail drooped. He looked at the berries and said nothing. Pip glanced at the berries and then at his fish basket. He didn’t say a word, but Freddie noticed his friends’ faces. 5

Freddie looked at Betsy, who was already nibbling a berry. Then he looked at Nutty, who was staring at the ground. “Nutty, do you like berries?” Freddie asked gently. Nutty shook his head. “I like nuts and seeds,” he said in a small voice. “But I don’t want to be trouble.” Freddie felt a little worried. He wanted everyone to be happy. 6

Just then, Pip spoke up softly. “I like fish,” he said. “But berries are fine, really.” Freddie looked at the three friends. Betsy loved berries. Nutty loved nuts. Pip loved fish. Freddie’s picnic only had berries. His ears drooped. “Oh dear,” he said. “I didn’t think about what everyone likes. I’m sorry.” 7

Betsy stopped nibbling. “I didn’t know you liked nuts, Nutty,” she said. “And I didn’t know you liked fish, Pip.” Nutty gave a tiny smile. Pip nodded. Freddie looked at his satchel. He had an idea. “Wait here!” he said. “I’ll be right back!” He dashed off into the forest, his tail flying behind him. 8

Freddie ran to a hazelnut bush and gathered a handful of nuts and acorns. He knew just where they grew. Then he hurried to the stream and caught two small, silvery fish. He placed them carefully in Pip’s basket. He also dug up two crunchy carrots from his own garden. His satchel was full and heavy with new food. 9

Back at the picnic, Freddie set down the acorns and hazelnuts. “For you, Nutty!” he said. Nutty’s black eyes grew wide. “Acorns! Hazelnuts! My favorite!” he chattered, his shyness melting away. Freddie gave the fish to Pip. “For you, Pip!” Pip’s whiskers twitched with delight. “Thank you, Freddie!” he said. Then Freddie gave Betsy the carrots. “And carrots for you, Betsy!” 10

Betsy clapped her paws. “Carrots! I love carrots!” She gave Freddie a big hug. Nutty was already nibbling an acorn. “This is the best picnic ever!” he said. Pip smiled and said, “You thought of everyone, Freddie.” Freddie’s heart felt warm. He looked at his friends, all happy and munching. “A picnic is better when everyone has something they like,” he said. 11

Then Betsy had an idea. “Let’s share everything!” she said. She put her berries in the middle. Nutty added his nuts. Pip set down his fish. Freddie put out the carrots. “What a feast!” said Freddie. They all tried a little of everything. Betsy nibbled a nut. Nutty tasted a berry. Pip tried a carrot. They giggled and shared. 12

The sun shone warm, and a gentle breeze ruffled the red-andwhite cloth. Betsy told a funny story about a bouncy hop. Nutty chattered about the biggest acorn he ever found. Pip showed how to balance a berry on his nose. Freddie laughed so hard his tail wagged. They played hide-and-seek among the wildflowers until they were tired and happy. 13

As the afternoon grew long, the friends lay on the grass, looking up at the sky. “Thank you, Freddie,” said Betsy. “You made everyone feel welcome.” Nutty nodded. “I was shy at first, but not anymore.” Pip said, “Sharing makes the food taste better.” Freddie smiled. “I learned that caring about what others like makes a happy picnic.” 14

Freddie packed up his satchel, and the friends helped fold the checkered cloth. “Same time next week?” asked Betsy. “Yes!” everyone cheered. Nutty gave Freddie a tiny acorn. “For good luck,” he said. Pip gave him a shiny fish scale. Betsy gave him a daisy. Freddie put them all in his satchel. “Friends are the best treasure,” he said.