Tommy the Turtle was playing on the sunny beach. It was a very windy day, so Tommy flew his beautiful kite. The kite went higher and higher in the sky. Suddenly, a big gust of wind blew it right out of Tommy’s claws.
“Oh, let it go!” cried Geraldine Giraffe.
But Tommy did not let it go; he ran after it. Up, up, high flew the kite, and at last it caught in a tree with a loud snap.
“Oh dear, oh dear! My kite is lost!” cried Tommy Turtle.
“Maybe we can get it back,” said Little Joey.
“How?” quacked the ducks.
“We might shake the tree till it falls down,” said Geraldine.
“Nonsense!” said old Magpie, who goes chattering about, hopping first on one leg and then on the other. “You couldn’t shake a feather off a sparrow’s tail!”
They held a council, but no one could think what to do. Lonely Tommy sat under the tree, crying as if his heart would break.
“We must help Tommy,” said Geraldine. “Come, now, follow me!”
She trotted off, followed by the little kangaroos, the rabbits, and the ducks. What was Tommy Turtle doing? He was making a fine long string out of some nettles growing near. Now the others joined him, and soon Tommy had a very long string.
Then Geraldine said, “Now, Tommy, put the string in the kite’s tail.”
When he did this, Geraldine started up the tree. The little kangaroos followed her, then the rabbits, and last the ducks waddled up. The kite was now ready to come down. Everyone pulled, and then with a loud snap, crack, and a tumble, the kite came home flying. All the children gave three cheers for Tommy Turtle. So you see it does help to be kind and to do all you can for your friends.