The Girl and the Water Vole

Maya loves spending time by the riverbank after school, wearing her yellow rain boots and carrying her green satchel and nature notebook. She sits quietly on a flat stone, watching the water flow and observing a small chestnut-brown water vole she calls Pip. Maya carefully records what he eats, how he swims, and how he reacts to loud noises. One morning, Pip does not appear from his burrow, and the river seems grey and lifeless.

Wanting to understand what water voles need, Maya visits Bernard, the friendly river warden, who explains that these animals require native plants for food and shelter, as well as clean water. Seeing the bare mud and litter, Maya decides to bring Pip back, even though Bernard warns her it will take patience. This gentle tale by Çınar BİBER follows her efforts as she plants native seeds and clears rubbish with help from neighbours, showing young readers how caring for waterways supports wildlife. The story can be read on Masalcı Baba.