Percy the pig was a very happy pig. He loved, more than anything, to play in the mud! He had a special muddy puddle in his garden, and every afternoon, he’d splash and roll and giggle. “This is *my* mud!” he’d oink happily.
One sunny afternoon, Rosie the rabbit hopped by. She watched Percy splashing with big, sad eyes. “Can I play too, Percy?” she asked quietly. Percy stopped splashing. He looked at his muddy puddle, then at Rosie. He didn’t want to share *his* mud!
“No,” Percy said, turning his back. “This is my special mud, and it’s too muddy for rabbits!” Rosie’s ears drooped, and she hopped away, looking very disappointed. Percy tried to go back to splashing, but it wasn’t as fun anymore. He kept thinking about Rosie’s sad face.
Old Man Turtle, who was sunbathing nearby, slowly opened one eye. “Sometimes,” he said in a creaky voice, “the best fun is the fun you share.” Percy thought about this. He remembered how happy he felt when his mama pig read him stories. It was even better when she snuggled close!
Percy took a deep breath and ran after Rosie. “Rosie!” he called. “Wait! You can play in the mud with me!” Rosie’s ears perked up, and she hopped back, her nose twitching with excitement.
Percy and Rosie splashed and rolled in the mud together. They made muddy footprints and giggled until their bellies hurt. It *was* much more fun with a friend! Percy realized Old Man Turtle was right. Sharing his muddy puddle didn’t make it less fun; it made it even better.
When it was time for bed, Percy snuggled with his mama pig. “Mama,” he said, “I learned that sharing is caring, and playing with friends is the best!” Mama Pig smiled and gave Percy a big hug. “That’s my clever little pig,” she said. And Percy drifted off to sleep, dreaming of muddy puddles and happy friends.