The Heron's Hidden Harbor

Early one misty morning, a tall blue-grey heron with bright amber eyes wades through the tall green reeds of the marsh, hoping to find breakfast. A tiny tapping sound draws him toward a hidden corner, where he comes upon a secret little harbor: tiny wooden docks, bark boats no bigger than his own feet, and a small round water vole in a red neckerchief, struggling alone to mend planks broken by a winter storm. The heron offers his long beak and his help, and the two begin to work side by side.

Soon a family of otters swims by, curious about the noise, and asks to join in. A beaver arrives to cut the planks to fit, and a family of ducks brings soft grass to weave along the edges. All afternoon the animals work together, laughing when a plank wobbles and cheering when it sits just right. This gentle tale by Ebru Mina TOMURCUK shows young readers how a community can lift, carry and build almost anything, no matter how small each helper is. The story can be read on Onlinemasal Com.Tr.