24tale : Leo was a lively little boy who lived with his father, Erik, in a small cabin near the forest.
Every morning, when the sun rose, Leo looked out of the window at the tall trees and wished he could find a new friend in the forest.
One day, while he was walking among the trees, he heard a soft rustling sound. He looked up and saw a tiny squirrel rushing across the branches. The squirrel had an acorn in its mouth and bright little eyes that sparkled like two stars.
Leo waved and said,
“Hello, little one! Do you want to play with me?”
But the squirrel quickly ran away and hid behind the leaves.
Leo didn’t give up. The next day he brought some walnuts and placed them under the same tree. The squirrel watched from afar, then ran closer, grabbed a nut, and disappeared again. Leo laughed with joy.
On the third day, Leo held a walnut in his hand. The squirrel hesitated for a moment… then slowly came closer. For the very first time, it took the nut straight from Leo’s hand!
Excited, Leo ran home and told his father what had happened. Erik placed his hand gently on Leo’s shoulder and said,
“My son, remember this: to earn trust, you must be patient and kind. Even a squirrel understands that.”
From that day on, Leo and Erik went to the forest every morning.
Leo played with the little squirrel and learned how to be gentle with small creatures.
Erik planted a new tree each time, making the forest greener and stronger.
Months passed. The squirrel was no longer alone; many more friends had come. Birds sang on the branches, rabbits hopped among the bushes, and the whole forest was alive with joy.
Leo finally understood:
Loving nature means finding a thousand new friends.
