Ben Learns to Read the Woods
Ben goes for a walk with Grandpa and learns to see what the forest is saying.
On Saturday morning, Ben went walking in the woods with Tilly the turtle. ‘Today,’ said Tilly, ‘we’re going to listen with our eyes.’ Ben wasn’t sure what that meant.
They stepped quietly along the trail. Tilly stopped and pointed at the mud. ‘Look.’ Ben crouched down and saw a line of hopping paw prints. ‘A rabbit passed by here this morning,’ whispered Tilly.
Further on, they saw a feather, a nibbled acorn and a spider web covered in dew. Each one told a little story. Ben began to notice more and more: bark scratched by a squirrel, a nest high in a tree.
They sat by a stream and ate sandwiches. A woodpecker tapped in the distance. A dragonfly hummed past. Ben realised the forest was full of life, once you slowed down enough to see it.
On the way home, Ben said, ‘Thanks, Tilly. I never knew woods could talk.’ Tilly smiled. ‘They always do. You just have to listen.’ And Ben kept looking all the way home.
The little lesson
If you slow down and look, nature tells you wonderful stories.
Let’s talk about it
- What tracks have you seen?
- What did Grandpa show Ben?
Finish stories to collect Ben as a sticker in your Sticker Book.
More Outdoors stories
Gia’s First Camping Trip
Gia sleeps in a tent for the first time and hears all the night sounds of the woods.
A Night Under the Stars with Nora
Nora sleeps in a tent for the first time and hears all the night sounds of the woods.
The Forest Trail with Max
Max goes for a walk with Grandpa and learns to see what the forest is saying.
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