Warmth and Protection
Mabel Owl watched with warm, gentle eyes as her newly found friend, Mouse, played in a large pile of autumn leaves. The leaves crunched and crackled beneath Mouse’s tiny feet as he ran, jumped, and laughed with abandon. His tiny paws waved in the air, and his whiskers twitched with joy. He was having so much fun that he didn’t notice the drop in temperature and that he was shivering.
Mabel’s soft feathers ruffled in the breeze as she spoke tenderly to Mouse. “Mouse, I am going to come get you now. It is getting colder, and you are shivering.” Mouse’s eyes sparkled with surprise as he felt the chill in the air.
“Oh,” he said, his tiny voice trembling. “You are right. I am shivering.”
Mabel flew down, her wings beating softly, and scooped Mouse up, tucking him under her wing. Mouse felt safe and warm, surrounded by Mabel’s soft feathers. All of a sudden, there was a flurry of feathers. Mabel had Mouse securely under her wing when she saw her cousin, Luna, try to snatch Mouse from her.
“Luna!” Mabel screamed, her voice loud and clear. “Mouse is my friend. He isn’t yours for the taking.”
Luna’s eyes gleamed with a mischievous spark, but Mabel stood firm, her wings spread wide to protect Mouse.
“What is going on here?” shouted Uncle Hoot Owl, flying over to where the commotion was.
Uncle Hoot’s wise, old eyes scanned the scene, taking in the sight of Mabel shielding Mouse from Luna.
“You two are cousins. Why are you bickering?” he asked, his voice stern but kind.
Luna pouted, her feathers ruffled in distress. “I saw him first,” she said, her voice sulky.
Mabel stood firm, her eyes shining with determination.
“Mouse is my friend!” she exclaimed. “And I won’t let anyone hurt him.”
Uncle Hoot Owl roared with laughter at the sight of Mouse shivering, now from fear.
“There is no need to be fearful,” he said, his voice warm and reassuring. “Mabel, or any of our family will not hurt you. Luna, leave Mabel and her little friend alone.”
Luna nodded, her feathers still ruffled, but she flew away, leaving Mabel and Mouse in peace.
Uncle Hoot Owl turned to Mabel, his eyes shining with warmth. “Mabel, keep that dear little guy safe. I once had a mouse for my friend, and he was the best friend I ever had.”
Mouse’s eyes sparkled with surprise. “I think your mouse friend used to be my grandfather,” he squeaked. “We always heard stories about how an owl had protected him.”
Uncle Hoot Owl’s eyes lit up with delight. “I suppose wanting to protect you little creatures runs in the family,” he said, smiling.
As the sun began to set, casting a warm, golden light over the forest, Mabel settled down with Mouse in her nest. Mouse snuggled up close to Mabel, feeling safe and protected. Mabel wrapped her wings around him, holding him close.
“I’ll always protect you, little one,” she whispered, her soft voice filled with love.
Moral of this Story:
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