Barnaby was a little troll, and he lived under a big, bumpy bridge. But Barnaby wasn't like the other trolls. The other trolls loved to stomp and roar and look grumpy. Barnaby loved to collect shiny pebbles and giggle! He tried to stomp, but he tripped. He tried to roar, but it came out as a squeak. He felt very sad and lonely.
One sunny afternoon, a little bunny hopped near Barnaby’s bridge. The bunny saw Barnaby trying to stack pebbles, and they tumbled down with a clatter. The other trolls would have roared, but Barnaby just sighed. The bunny didn’t run away! She wiggled her nose and said, “That looked tricky! Can I help?”
Barnaby was surprised. “You… you aren’t scared of me?” he asked. The bunny shook her head. “Why would I be? You seem nice, even if your pebble tower fell down.” Together, Barnaby and the bunny built a magnificent pebble tower, even higher than before!
Soon, a little bird landed nearby, chirping a cheerful tune. Then a sleepy snail slowly slimed its way over. They all wanted to help Barnaby with his pebble collection. Barnaby showed them his favorite shiny pebbles, and they told him about their day.
Barnaby realized something wonderful. He didn’t need to stomp or roar to make friends. He could be himself – a giggling, pebble-collecting troll – and that was perfectly okay! His friends liked him *because* he was different.
The other trolls peeked out from under the bridge. They saw Barnaby laughing with his new friends. Slowly, they started to smile too. Maybe being grumpy wasn’t so fun after all. Maybe being yourself was the best thing of all.
As the sun began to set, Barnaby snuggled close to his friends. He wasn’t lonely anymore. He had learned that being different is special, and that kindness always makes new friends. Now close your eyes, little one, and dream sweet dreams of shiny pebbles and happy trolls.