One Wish for Peep

In a big, sunny forest full of sweet-smelling flowers, there lived two best friends. Leo was a lion cub, big and gentle. Mia was a mouse, as tiny as a berry. They played together, they explored together, and they were almost never apart.

Leo and Mia loved to wander the forest and help their neighbors. They carried apples for a hedgehog and found a lost acorn for a squirrel. The forest animals told stories about the Shining Lake. They said it granted wishes—but only for kind animals. One morning, just as the sun came up, Mia hopped up and down. “Let’s go find it today!” “Let’s go,” said Leo. Off they went, talking about wishes. “A cake as big as a rock!” said Mia. “A swing in the treetops,” said Leo.

Along the path, they met Olivia, a wise and friendly turtle. “Hello, Leo! Hello, Mia!” she said slowly. “How nice to see you. Where are you two going?”

Mia bounced on her toes. “We’re going to the Shining Lake!” she squeaked. “We heard it makes wishes come true!”

Olivia smiled a slow, secret smile. “That’s true,” she said. “But the lake only helps animals who are kind and wish for good things.” “We won’t wish for anything bad,” said Leo. “We promise!” said Mia. Then they waved goodbye and hurried on.

At last, the path opened into a sunny clearing. There was the Shining Lake! The water sparkled and twinkled in the sun. Tiny fish of every color swam under the water. Leo and Mia stood very, very still. They had never seen anything so pretty.

Suddenly they heard a sad little cry. Leo and Mia turned around. In the shade by the water sat a small bird. His wing was hurt, and he couldn’t fly. “Oh no,” whispered Mia.

The little bird was crying and shaking. Leo bent down low. “Don’t be scared,” he said softly. “We’ll help you.” “I’m Peep,” the bird sniffled.