The Puppy and the Owl

In a bright forest clearing, a small golden-brown puppy named Toby loves nothing more than chasing his red ball with the white star. One afternoon a too-hard kick sends the ball rolling under a bush, and it disappears. Toby races around trees and over rocks, sniffing in every direction at once, but the faster he hurries, the less he finds. Tired and worried, he sits down with a sigh, certain the ball is gone for good.

Then a gentle voice comes from above. Oliver, a plump owl wearing tiny wire spectacles, flies down and offers to help. Rather than rushing everywhere, he shows Toby how to search one spot at a time: under the bush, behind the big oak, through the tall grass by the stream. Working together, Toby learns to slow down, stay calm and keep trying, and patience lets him notice things he had missed. This warm, simple tale by Jane MEADOW about friendship, perseverance and good advice can be read on Kids Tale Book.