In the Sunlight Hollow forest school, Pip sat on the woven rug. Its red tail twitched, and twitched, and twitched.
The wiggle wouldn't stop. Pip hopped up, spun in a fast circle, and bumped the tower. Rattle-clatter! It crashed down.
The blue crayon rolled and stopped against a muddy paw print. The other kids stopped drawing. Pip watched, ears flattening.
During story time, paws tapped a frantic drum. When asked about the wolf's eyes, Pip shouted, "Blue!" and raised one claw.
The book snapped shut. The room went quiet except for the wind whistling through the window. Pip shrank behind the desk.
Near the old oak tree, a tortoise pushed a heavy wagon stuck in the mud. Wheels spun. Pip felt the energy bounce.
Pip zoomed over and shoved the wagon with all its might. Splat! Brown mud flew everywhere. The tortoise blinked slowly.
The tortoise offered Pip a shiny river stone from the wagon bed. Pip took it gently, ears perking up.
At the creek, the stepping stones were gone. The tortoise pointed at Pip. "Pip can zip and grab the vine!"
Pip shot across the water, teeth gripping the vine, and bounded back. Tail wiggling so fast the ears flopped sideways.
The kids cheered and clapped. The tortoise smiled a slow, wide smile. Pip dropped the vine at its feet.
Back on the rug, the tortoise broke a pinecone treat in half. "You share the fast help," it said, handing over the bigger piece.
Pip grinned, hopping once, twice, three times. Then it curled up tight. The pinecone crumb rested on the tortoise's shell.
Outside the window, the forest grew golden and still. Inside, everyone was exactly where they belonged.