The Fox and the Raccoon

In the green woods, a young fox named Rusty, who wears a small teal neckerchief, is always eager to explore and quick to spot anything new. His friend Rocky, a calm raccoon with a black mask and a brown satchel, likes to work things out one step at a time. One breezy afternoon, while the two share berries on a mossy log, a faint tinkling sound comes from deep in the woods, and the friends decide to find out where it leads.

Their search takes them past a rushing stream with widely spaced stepping stones, through brambles that snag Rusty's neckerchief, and along a narrow trail to a clearing with an old treehouse. There they discover a wind chime that is tangled and broken, and mending it calls for Rusty's small paws and Rocky's steady patience. Rocky's notebook and Rusty's keen ears help them follow the sound, and each obstacle shows how their different strengths fit together. This gentle tale by Jane MEADOW can be read on Kids Tale Book.