A Place for the Pebble
An original Tuck In Books story

Moss the little bear liked the sand table. On his first visit, two rabbits were building a town there. One made roads. The other made a pond. Moss stood beside the table holding a smooth pebble. He did not know what to say.

“Can I play?” he asked at last. The rabbit with the road looked up. “We only have two scoops.” Moss looked at his empty paw. He took a step back. Miss Rowan came over. “You hoped there would be a place for you,” she said.

Moss nodded. Miss Rowan stayed while he thought. “I could make a park,” he said. He held out the pebble. “This could be a bench.” The rabbits looked at the town. “The park could go by the pond,” said one. “We can move this road.”

Moss pressed a circle into the sand with his paw. He put the pebble in the middle. Another bear arrived with a twig. “Is there room for a tree?” Moss looked at the little park. “Here,” he said. “Beside the bench.”

The next day, the rabbits were painting at a small easel. Every space was full. Moss felt the same small sinking feeling. Miss Rowan helped him ask, “Can I have a turn later?” Then they found paper for a picture of the park.

When a space opened, one rabbit called him over. Moss carried his picture with him. Making a friend was not one magic sentence. Sometimes there was room now. Sometimes there was a different game while he waited. He could ask, and he could find someone to help.

The End

A few words for tonight
- Read the scene at the sand table.
- Let your child invent a use for the pebble.
- Offer one invitation to try; listening quietly counts too.

Read more: https://www.tuckinbooks.com/stories/friendship/
Free for personal family reading.