Bobby Coon Finds a New Home

Bobby Coon lived in a big hollow oak tree at the edge of the Green Forest. He loved his cozy home very much.

One morning Bobby woke up and felt cold rain dripping on his nose. A big branch had broken, and his hollow was open to the sky. Bobby knew he needed to find a new home.

Bobby trotted through the Green Forest, looking for a new hollow tree. He found an old mossy log on the ground and peeked inside. "Too wet," said Bobby, and he moved along.

Next, Bobby found a hole between two big tree roots and peeked inside. "Too small," said Bobby, and he moved along.

Then Bobby spotted a tall white birch tree with a round dark hole near the top. He climbed up and peeked inside. It was dry, and it was deep, and it smelled like sweet wood.

Bobby climbed all the way inside and turned around three times. He curled his striped tail around himself and smiled. This was his new home.

That night, Bobby climbed down to celebrate. He went to the Laughing Brook and dipped his paws in the cool water to wash a handful of sweet berries, because that was his very favorite thing to do.

Bobby carried his clean berries back up to his new hollow tree and ate them slowly, one by one. Silver moonlight shone softly through the branches outside.

Bobby curled up inside his snug new home and closed his eyes. Sometimes a new beginning is the best gift of all.