Rosie loved her bright red cloak. Her grandmother, Nana Willow, had made it for her, and Rosie wore it everywhere! Today, Nana Willow wasn’t feeling well, so Rosie’s mom asked her to deliver a basket of warm blueberry muffins and honey tea. “Now, Rosie,” her mom said, “stay on the path through the Whispering Woods. It’s the safest way to Nana Willow’s cottage.”
Rosie promised she would, and skipped happily into the woods, her red cloak a cheerful splash of color among the green trees. The Whispering Woods weren’t scary, but they *were* full of interesting things. Sunlight dappled through the leaves, and little woodland creatures peeked out from behind bushes.
Suddenly, Rosie heard a tiny, frantic chirping. She stopped and looked around. High up in a willow tree, a little bluebird was tangled in some vines! Its wing was caught, and it fluttered helplessly. Rosie knew she should keep to the path, but she couldn’t leave the little bird.
“Don’t worry!” she called gently. Carefully, Rosie climbed onto a sturdy branch, being very careful not to disturb the bird further. She gently untangled the vines from its wing. The little bird chirped gratefully and nuzzled her finger before flying off into the trees.
Rosie smiled, feeling happy she had helped. But when she turned back to the path, she realized she didn’t know which way to go! She hadn’t been paying attention, too focused on helping the bird. The path had split into two, and she couldn’t remember which way her mom had told her to turn.
Just then, a fluffy gray squirrel scampered down a tree. “Lost, little one?” he chattered. Rosie explained about the muffins for Nana Willow and how she’d gotten turned around. The squirrel tilted his head. “Hmm, Nana Willow’s cottage is that way,” he said, pointing with a tiny paw. “But be careful! Old Man Tiber, the grumpy badger, sometimes tries to trick travelers.”
Rosie thanked the squirrel and followed his directions. Soon, she came to a clearing where a badger was sitting, looking very important. “Well, well, well,” he grumbled. “What have we here? A little girl with a basket. I haven’t had a blueberry muffin in ages! Why don’t you pick me some beautiful wildflowers first? Nana Willow loves wildflowers, you know.”
Rosie remembered what her mom had said: *stay on the path and listen to your elders*. Old Man Tiber didn’t seem very friendly, and picking wildflowers would take her even further off course. “Thank you, sir,” she said politely, “but my mom told me to go straight to Nana Willow’s. She’s not feeling well, and I need to deliver these muffins quickly.”
Old Man Tiber huffed and puffed, but he didn’t try to stop her. Rosie continued on the path, and soon she saw Nana Willow’s cozy cottage. Nana Willow was so happy to see her and receive the warm muffins and tea.
“You were very brave to come through the woods all by yourself, Rosie,” Nana Willow said, hugging her tightly. “And even kinder to help that little bird. That’s more important than anything.” Rosie smiled, feeling warm and happy. She learned that day that being kind, listening to her mom, and being brave enough to do the right thing were the best adventures of all.