Carlos the crocodile loved his little cove in the Whispering River. It was the perfect spot for sunbathing, and the mud was wonderfully cool on his scaly back. He considered it *his* special place, and he didn’t like anyone else coming near. He’d grumble and splash if a fish swam too close, and he’d give a warning snap if a bird landed on a nearby branch.
One sunny morning, a family of otters paddled into the cove. “Oh, what a lovely spot!” chirped Mama Otter. “Perfect for a little rest after our long swim.” Carlos immediately felt a grumpy rumble in his tummy. “This is *my* cove!” he called out, puffing out his chest. “Find somewhere else to play!”
The otters looked sad. Little Ollie Otter whimpered, “But we’re tired, and there aren’t many sunny spots like this.” Carlos almost felt…bad. Almost. He turned his back and pretended to nap, but he could hear the otters whispering amongst themselves.
Soon, a little turtle named Tilly slowly swam into the cove. “Excuse me,” she said politely, “I’m looking for a safe place to rest. The river current is quite strong today.” Carlos grumbled again. “Go away! This is *my* cove!” Tilly, though small, looked at Carlos with kind eyes. “But there’s plenty of room for everyone,” she pointed out gently.
Carlos looked around. He *had* been hogging the whole cove. It was true. He hadn’t even considered that others might need a safe place too. He sighed. It felt strange, letting others share his space. The otters cautiously settled on a sandy bank, and Tilly found a cozy spot near a warm rock.
To Carlos’s surprise, it wasn’t so bad. The otters were very playful, and their happy squeaks were actually quite cheerful. Tilly told him stories about the colorful fish she’d seen deeper in the river. Carlos even found himself chuckling at Ollie Otter’s clumsy attempts to catch butterflies.
He discovered that sharing his cove didn’t make it less special; it made it *more* special. It was filled with laughter and friendship. He learned that helping others felt good, and having friends to share his favorite place with was much more fun than being grumpy and alone.
As the sun began to set, Mama Otter thanked Carlos. “This was a wonderful rest. Thank you for letting us share your cove.” Tilly and Ollie echoed her thanks. Carlos smiled, a genuine, happy smile. “You’re welcome,” he said. “Come back anytime!”
From that day on, Carlos’s cove wasn’t just *his* cove anymore. It was a place where everyone was welcome, a place filled with friendship, laughter, and the warm glow of a shared sunny spot. And Carlos learned that the best things in life are always better when they’re shared.