Tracks in the Mud: Bella’s Walk
Bella goes for a walk with Grandpa and learns to see what the forest is saying.
On Saturday morning, Bella went walking in the woods with Priya the bear. ‘Today,’ said Priya, ‘we’re going to listen with our eyes.’ Bella wasn’t sure what that meant.
They stepped quietly along the trail. Priya stopped and pointed at the mud. ‘Look.’ Bella crouched down and saw a line of hopping paw prints. ‘A rabbit passed by here this morning,’ whispered Priya.
Further on, they saw a feather, a nibbled acorn and a spider web covered in dew. Each one told a little story. Bella 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. Bella realised the forest was full of life, once you slowed down enough to see it.
On the way home, Bella said, ‘Thanks, Priya. I never knew woods could talk.’ Priya smiled. ‘They always do. You just have to listen.’ And Bella 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 Bella?
Finish stories to collect Bella as a sticker in your Sticker Book.
More Outdoors stories
The Forest Trail with Rocco
Rocco goes for a walk with Grandpa and learns to see what the forest is saying.
Pippa Pitches a Tent
Pippa sleeps in a tent for the first time and hears all the night sounds of the woods.
Leo’s First Camping Trip
Leo sleeps in a tent for the first time and hears all the night sounds of the woods.
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