Once upon a time, in a green and peaceful forest, there lived a little rabbit named Benny. Benny was small, soft, and very curious. He loved to hop around the forest, smell colorful flowers, and listen to the birds singing in the trees.
Benny had one problem: he was too curious. His mother often said,
“Benny, never go too far from home. The forest is big, and it is easy to get lost.”
Benny always nodded and said, “Yes, Mom,” but one sunny morning, he forgot her words.
That day, Benny saw a bright red butterfly dancing in the air.
“Oh! How beautiful!” Benny said and hopped after it.
The butterfly flew over rocks, under trees, and across a small stream. Benny followed it, laughing and jumping happily.
After a while, the butterfly flew away. Benny stopped and looked around.
The trees looked strange.
The flowers were different.
There was no sign of his home.
Benny’s ears began to shake.
“Oh no… I’m lost,” he whispered.
The forest suddenly felt very big and very quiet. Benny felt scared. His eyes filled with tears.
“I want to go home,” he cried softly.
Just then, Benny heard a slow, calm voice.
“Why are you crying, little one?”
Benny turned around and saw an old tortoise named Timothy. Timothy had a big, brown shell and kind, gentle eyes. He was walking very slowly, step by step.
“I followed a butterfly, and now I can’t find my home,” Benny said.
“I’m scared.”
Timothy smiled kindly.
“Do not worry,” he said. “When you are lost, the most important thing is to stay calm.”
“But I’m too small and too scared,” Benny sniffed.
Timothy nodded.
“I am slow,” he said, “but I know this forest very well. I can help you.”
Benny felt a little better.
“Really?” he asked.
“Yes,” Timothy replied. “But we must be patient and careful.”
They began to walk together. Benny hopped, and Timothy walked slowly beside him. On the way, Timothy asked questions.
“Do you remember anything near your home?”
Benny thought hard.
“There is a tall oak tree… and a river that makes a soft sound.”
Timothy smiled.
“Good. Let us listen to the forest.”
They stopped and listened.
They heard birds singing.
They heard leaves moving.
Far away, they heard water flowing.
“That way,” Timothy said, pointing gently.
As they walked, Benny learned something important. When he moved too fast, Timothy reminded him to slow down. When Benny felt scared, Timothy told him stories about the forest and made him laugh.
Soon, they saw the tall oak tree. Benny’s eyes lit up.
“That’s it! That’s my home!” he shouted happily.
Benny’s mother ran to him and hugged him tightly.
“Oh Benny, I was so worried!” she said.
Benny looked at Timothy and smiled.
“Thank you for helping me,” he said. “You are slow, but you are very wise.”
Timothy laughed softly.
“Sometimes,” he said, “slow steps lead to the right place.”
From that day on, Benny never wandered too far alone. And whenever he saw Timothy in the forest, he slowed down, smiled, and remembered that patience and kindness can always guide us home.
The End.