Xena’s Bridge Over Bubbling River
A storm washes away the only bridge. Every animal has an important job to do.
There was once a river called Bubbling River. A little wooden bridge crossed it, and every animal used it to get to the sunny meadow. Then one night, a flood came, and in the morning, the bridge was gone.
The animals gathered on the bank. ‘How will we cross?’ sighed Freddie. ‘It’s too wide to jump,’ said Opal. ‘And too deep to wade,’ said Yuki. Everyone was gloomy.
Xena the rabbit thought hard. ‘We can build a new bridge,’ she said. ‘But we’ll need everybody.’ The animals looked at each other, and started to nod.
Yuki, who was the strongest, hauled big logs from the forest. Freddie, who was the nimblest, climbed up and tied them with long, strong vines. Opal dug holes for the posts.
And Xena? Xena was the smallest, but she could squeeze into tiny spaces. She wriggled between the logs to tie knots no one else could reach. Every knot counted.
By sunset, the bridge was finished. It wobbled a little at first. Then Yuki stepped on it. It held! Then Freddie, then Opal, then Xena. They all crossed, cheering.
The new bridge was stronger than the old one. And at the middle, the animals carved: ‘Built by everyone.’ It’s still there today, if you know where to look.
The little lesson
Everybody has something to give, big or small, and together it adds up.
Let’s talk about it
- What job did you think was most important?
- Think of a time you worked together with others.
Finish stories to collect Xena as a sticker in your Sticker Book.
More Animal Tales stories
Who Is Making That Noise, Moe?
Moe hears a strange knock in the night. Who could it be?
Shy Rocco and the Lost golden key
Rocco is so shy that he hides from everyone, until a friend needs help.
How Esme Built the Bridge
A storm washes away the only bridge. Every animal has an important job to do.
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