Barnaby the mouse was a very small mouse, and tonight, he was feeling a little bit scared. It was bedtime, and the forest seemed extra shadowy. He worried about the Gruffalo! Everyone said the Gruffalo was terribly grumpy and had terrible claws and terrible teeth. Barnaby squeezed his eyes shut.
His mama mouse nuzzled him. “Barnaby,” she said softly, “sometimes things aren’t as scary as they seem. The Gruffalo lives deep in the woods, and he mostly keeps to himself.” But Barnaby still felt a wobble in his tummy.
Suddenly, Barnaby heard a sniffle. A *very* big sniffle. He peeked through his paws and saw… the Gruffalo! But he wasn’t roaring or showing his terrible teeth. He was sitting under a tree, looking very sad.
Barnaby, remembering his mama’s words, took a tiny, brave step forward. “Are you… are you alright, Mr. Gruffalo?” he squeaked.
The Gruffalo jumped! He hadn’t expected anyone to talk to him. “Oh,” he mumbled, wiping his nose with a large paw. “I’ve lost my favorite pebble. It’s a sparkly blue one, and it helps me feel happy.”
Barnaby, though small, was a very good finder. He scurried around, sniffing and searching. Soon, he spotted a glint of blue under a fern. “Is this it?” he asked, pushing the pebble towards the Gruffalo with all his might.
The Gruffalo’s face lit up! “Yes! That’s it! Thank you, little mouse! You are very kind.” He held the pebble tightly. “I thought everyone was afraid of me, so no one ever came near.”
Barnaby smiled. “I was a little bit scared at first,” he admitted, “but you seem very nice now.”
The Gruffalo chuckled, a rumbling sound that wasn’t scary at all. “Perhaps I just needed a friend.” He and Barnaby sat together under the tree, the Gruffalo showing Barnaby his sparkly pebble. Barnaby realized the Gruffalo wasn’t terrible at all, just lonely.
Barnaby’s mama mouse came to find him. She was surprised to see Barnaby chatting happily with the Gruffalo! She smiled. Barnaby yawned, feeling safe and sleepy. He learned that even big, scary-looking creatures can be kind, and that being brave enough to say hello can make a wonderful new friend. Now close your eyes, little one, and dream sweet dreams, just like Barnaby.