Clyde the crocodile wasn't like the other crocodiles. While they practiced snapping their jaws and looking fierce, Clyde… giggled. He giggled when he tried to snap, he giggled when he swam, and he *especially* giggled when he tried to be scary. It just wasn’t very crocodile-like!
The other young crocodiles often left Clyde out of their games. “You’re too silly, Clyde!” they’d say. “Crocodiles are supposed to be serious!” This made Clyde very sad. He wished he could be a serious crocodile, but giggling just bubbled up inside him like fizzy bubbles.
One evening, Old Man Tiber, the wisest crocodile in the swamp, saw Clyde sitting alone. “What’s troubling you, little one?” he asked kindly. Clyde explained how he couldn’t help being silly and how the others didn’t want to play with him.
Old Man Tiber chuckled, a deep rumbling sound. “Silly isn’t bad, Clyde. Silly is *you*! And sometimes, the world needs a little silliness.” He then invited Clyde to a special sleepover with all the young crocodiles.
When the sleepover began, the other crocodiles tried to tell scary stories, but they kept forgetting the spooky parts. They tried to play ‘Silent Swamp,’ but someone always bumped into something. It was a disaster! Then, Clyde started telling silly stories about wobbly water lilies and dancing dragonflies.
At first, the other crocodiles just stared. But then… they started to giggle! Soon, the whole swamp was filled with laughter. They played silly games, made funny faces, and even tried to giggle-snap their jaws (which was very difficult!).
They realized that being silly was actually a lot of fun. They learned that it was okay to be different and that Clyde’s giggles weren’t something to make fun of, but something to enjoy. They asked Clyde to tell more silly stories, and he happily obliged.
From that night on, Clyde was always included in their games. He learned that being himself, even if it meant being a silly crocodile, was the best thing he could be. And the other crocodiles learned that a little bit of silliness can make everything brighter.
As the moon shone over the swamp, Clyde snuggled close to his new friends, a happy giggle bubbling up inside him. He knew, even as he drifted off to sleep, that being silly was perfectly wonderful. Now close your eyes, little one, and dream of silly crocodiles and happy friends.