Zoombella and the Polite Adventure
by

Thomas

A story about Respect
for your 3rd Grader.

The forest was quiet and full of magic. The tall trees whispered secrets to one another, and soft sunlight danced across the ground. Princess Zoombella stood at the edge, eager to find a new butterfly that no one had ever seen.

She followed bright spots of color, hoping they would lead to a rare butterfly. At the base of a twisty, gnarled tree trunk, she found a single dazzling feather. It glimmered with golden stripes, hinting that more wonders awaited.

Just then, Blossom Sprout rushed forward, carrying a small watering can. 'Did you see that feather, my friend?' the plant monster asked with a grin. She loved caring for all living things and felt certain this feather belonged to a shy creature hiding nearby.

Together, they continued deeper into the forest, where fluffy rabbits darted under bushes. Every time Princess Zoombella tried to say hello, the rabbits scurried away. She felt a little sad, but she kept going, hoping to find the new butterfly species at last.

Soon, they heard the sound of trickling water. They discovered a shimmering forest pond that seemed to sing when the breeze passed over it. Near the edge, footprints of small animals vanished into the reeds.

Blossom Sprout leaned in to peer at the tracks. 'They're so timid,' she whispered, noticing that even tiny frogs hopped away. Princess Zoombella sighed, tapping her foot impatiently. She wanted to meet the animals, but she did not know how to make them feel safe.

'We should be gentle and speak softly,' Princess Zoombella reminded herself, remembering her father's advice. She took a deep breath and tried greeting a curious squirrel with a calm voice. Instead of running away, the squirrel paused, tilted its head, and hopped closer.

Blossom Sprout smiled when she saw the squirrel's fluffy tail swish from side to side. She knew that smaller creatures often stayed hidden when they felt noisy or rushed. 'Patience is like watering a seed,' she said. 'It takes time, but it helps friendships grow.'