The Penguin's Little Friend

The Penguin's Little Friend Jane MEADOW

In a far, cold place where the snow never melts, there lived a penguin named Percy. He had a sleek black back, a snowy white front, and a round belly like a soft ball. Around his neck, he always wore a small red knitted scarf. It kept his chin warm and his heart happy. Every morning, Percy waddled out to watch the sky and the sea. 1

Percy loved his icy home. He slid on his belly down smooth white hills and splashed in the bright blue water. Seals barked, and gulls called above the waves. Percy knew every rock, every drift, and every quiet corner of the snowy shore. He had a gentle heart and bright amber-orange eyes that noticed everything around him. But most days, he played alone. 2

One grey afternoon, Percy noticed the wind had grown sharp and cold. Dark clouds were piling up far out over the sea. The gulls were flying low and fast. Percy pulled his red scarf tighter. "A winter storm is coming," he said softly to himself. "I should hurry home and stay warm." He turned toward his cozy snow den. 3

Just then, Percy heard a tiny sound. Peep! Peep! It was small and thin, like a whisper in the wind. He stopped and tilted his small black head. There, near a frozen rock, sat a little seabird. It was palm-sized, with fluffy pale grey and white feathers and big round dark eyes. Its feathers looked ruffled and frosty. 4

The tiny bird was shivering. Its delicate pinkish feet trembled in the snow. "Hello, little one," said Percy gently. "What are you doing out here all alone?" The bird blinked its big round eyes. "I'm lost," it whispered. "My name is Pip. The wind blew me far from my nest, and now I can't find my way back." 5

Percy's amber eyes grew soft. He could see how cold and scared Pip was. The little seabird was much smaller than him, no bigger than his flipper. "Don't worry, Pip," said Percy kindly. "A big winter storm is coming. I know just what to do. Come with me, and we will find a warm, safe place." Pip looked up and nodded bravely. 6

Percy began to waddle, and Pip hopped along beside him. But the snow was deep for such tiny feet. Pip stumbled and sank into the soft drifts. "Hold on," said Percy. He bent down low. "Climb up on my back, between my wings. My feathers are warm." Pip climbed up and tucked its pinkish feet into Percy's soft back. 7

The wind grew stronger. Snow swirled all around them like tiny white bees. Percy leaned into the wind and pushed forward. Pip held on tight, burying its small dark beak in Percy's warm feathers. "Are we almost there?" Pip peeped. "Soon," said Percy. "I know a special place. Just keep holding on, little friend." 8

At last, Percy stopped beside a big snowy hill. He brushed away the snow with his webbed feet. Underneath was a snug little cave made of rocks and ice. It was dry and safe from the wind. "Here we are!" said Percy. "This shelter will keep us warm until the storm passes." He waddled inside, and Pip hopped down from his back. 9

Inside, the cave was quiet and cozy. The wind howled outside, but the snow could not reach them. Percy wrapped his red scarf around them both. Pip snuggled close, and slowly the shivering stopped. "You're so warm," said Pip happily. "And you're so brave," said Percy. "You trusted me and held on tight the whole way." 10

Pip reached under one wing and pulled out something small. It was a tiny blue berry, shiny and round. "I found this today," said Pip shyly. "It's my favorite thing. Would you like to share it?" Percy smiled. They split the little berry in two and ate it, and it tasted sweet and bright, like summer in the middle of the storm. 11

Then they told stories. Percy talked about sliding down snowy hills and diving into the sea. Pip talked about flying high over the waves and sleeping in a warm nest. They laughed and laughed. The storm kept blowing outside, but inside the little cave was full of warm friendship. "I'm glad I found you, Percy," said Pip. 12

After a long while, the wind grew quiet. The howling stopped, and the snow stopped swirling. Percy peeked outside. The sky was clearing, and the stars were blinking like tiny friends. "The storm is over," he said. "We waited it out together, and now the sky is safe again." Pip's big round eyes sparkled with joy. 13

In the morning, the world was white and sparkling. Pip stretched its tiny wings. "I think I can find my way home now," it said. "The wind has stopped, and I can see the sea." Percy smiled. "I'll walk with you to the shore," he said. So they waddled and hopped together through the soft new snow, side by side. 14

At the shore, Pip turned to Percy. "Thank you for helping me," said Pip. "You gave me shelter and a warm scarf and a friend." Percy touched his red scarf. "Even the smallest friend can mean the most," he said. "True friendship is not about size at all. It's about caring, and you cared about me too." Pip gave a happy little peep.