Barnaby Bear was a very happy bear, especially when he found a patch of juicy, red berries! He loved berries more than anything. He started picking them, filling his little basket until it was overflowing. “These are *my* berries!” he thought, hugging the basket tightly.
Soon, Barnaby’s friends, Rosie Rabbit and Finley Fox, hopped and trotted over. “Wow, Barnaby! Those look delicious!” said Rosie. Finley’s nose twitched with excitement. “Can we have just a few?” he asked politely.
Barnaby hesitated. He really didn’t want to share. He’d found the berries, and he wanted to eat them all himself. He mumbled, “Um… I… I need them all for a special berry pie!” But he didn’t really have a pie in mind. He just didn’t want to share.
Rosie and Finley looked sad. They slowly started to walk away. Barnaby watched them go, and a funny feeling started in his tummy. It wasn’t a happy feeling. It felt…empty. He looked at his overflowing basket of berries. They didn’t seem as bright and tasty anymore.
Barnaby quickly called out, “Wait! Come back!” Rosie and Finley turned around, surprised. Barnaby took a deep breath. “I… I was being silly. Of course, you can have some berries! I have plenty to share.”
He carefully divided the berries into three smaller piles, one for each of them. Rosie and Finley’s faces lit up! They happily munched on the sweet berries. Barnaby joined them, and the berries tasted even *better* than before.
“These are the best berries ever!” exclaimed Finley. Rosie nodded, her mouth full. “Thank you for sharing, Barnaby!” Barnaby smiled. He realized that sharing his berries didn’t make him have less; it made him have *more* – more friends, more fun, and a much happier tummy.
As the sun began to set, Barnaby, Rosie, and Finley sat together, finishing their berries. Barnaby learned that day that the sweetest things in life are even sweeter when shared with friends. And that made it a very good day indeed. Now close your eyes, little one, and dream sweet dreams of berries and friendship.