Bramble woke in his warm tree-root den. He reached for a hug, but his arms flopped apart. “Oh,” he said.
A pinecone rolled across the mossy floor. Bramble followed it out beneath the trees.
On the path, a fox offered Bramble a bright wildflower. Bramble turned to hug back—and hugged a tree instead.
Scratch! Bark brushed Bramble’s fur. The fox giggled, and Bramble peeked around the tree.
Bramble helped gather the flowers. Soon, a rabbit patted his paw. Bramble gently patted back.
A tickle rose in Bramble’s nose. “Achoo!” Flower petals flew everywhere—poof!
The fox and rabbit waited with open arms. Bramble took one step, then another.
Bramble gave them a careful hug. The forest grew quiet except for leaves whispering overhead.
Back in the cozy den, Bramble opened his arms before anyone could ask. The fox and rabbit tumbled into him.
They rolled onto the moss. Bramble laughed as wildflowers tickled his nose.
