Tuck and the Little Pool in the Oak Roots

The story

Bright early morning came to the mossy roots of the big oak tree. Tuck the little green tortoise crossed the moss, and Finn the little orange fox padded beside him.

"Look, Tuck. The roots made a little cave," said Finn.

Inside the hollow root lay a small pool of rainwater, clear as glass and bright with sun. Tuck leaned close and watched the water sparkle.

Then Tuck looked past the roots. The moss was pale and dry, and a small fern drooped low. "That fern looks thirsty," he said.

Tuck took one step toward it, then went very still. "But I am slow, Finn."

Finn folded a wide fallen leaf into a soft little cup. "We can carry a little. One leaf at a time."

Tuck watched the leaf cup fill with cool water, and something inside him went warm. "I can do that."

He carried the leaf across the moss, counting his careful steps. "One... two... three..."

The water spread out dark and soft. The pale moss turned green again.

They dipped their leaves again and again. Soon the little fern lifted toward the morning sun, and Tuck's shoulders softened. "It stood up. It really stood up."

The pool was still shining when the whole root had turned green. Tuck snuggled down on the soft new moss beside his friend.

"Let us fill our leaves again tomorrow," said Tuck, while the big oak tree hushed its leaves above them, green and gold.