Chap. 1The Great Forest Adventure: Meeting New Friends

Copito reached a small, blue pond very soon. He saw a cheerful frog sitting there. The cheerful frog was very bright green. "Hello, Copito!" said the cheerful frog. "Do you want to play with me?" They began to hop around the water. Hop, hop, hop went the happy bunny. Hop, hop, hop went the cheerful frog. Suddenly, they heard a very quiet sound. It was T, the friendly turtle. T walked very slowly on the grass. "Slow down, my friends," said T. "Look at the tiny yellow flowers here." They all started to walk very slowly. They moved their arms and legs with care. It was nice to see the small things. The forest was full of magic and life. They saw a ladybug on a leaf. They saw a shiny rock in the dirt. T showed them how to be calm. Walking slow helps us see the world. Copito liked to learn from his friends. The frog liked to learn new things too. They were a very good team together. The sun sparkled on the pond water. The turtle smiled at his two friends. They felt very safe in the forest. The trees whispered in the light wind. Everything was peaceful and very beautiful now. They were ready to find more friends. They looked at the green moss. They looked at the brown tree bark.

They walked to a very tall fruit tree. A monkey was playing in the branches. The monkey liked to swing and climb. "Move your arms like me!" the monkey said. Copito, the frog, and T waved their arms. They pretended to hang from the high branches. They moved left and then they moved right. It was a fun game for everyone. But then, they heard a very big noise. Something large was moving through the thick trees. The ground felt like it was dancing. A giant shadow fell over the green grass. Who could this new animal friend be? Copito felt his little heart beat fast. They all looked toward the dark woods. A big surprise was waiting for them there. Maybe it was a very large giant. Maybe it was a very big animal. The bushes moved back and forth loudly. They stayed very still and watched closely. The cheerful frog held onto a leaf. The friendly turtle hid in his shell. Copito stood up on his back legs. He wanted to see over the bushes. The air became very still and quiet. Then, they saw a long, grey trunk. It was moving through the green leaves. Something very special was about to happen. They waited to see the new visitor. This was the start of something big. The adventure was just beginning for them. What would they find in the shadows?