In a forest filled with the chatter of creatures great and small, there lived a wise old owl named Olivia. Every evening, as the sun dipped below the horizon, she would perch herself in the knotted branches of an old oak tree, her favorite spot to ponder over the day’s happenings.
Not far from her dwelling was a young squirrel named Sammy. Full of energy and mischief, Sammy loved nothing more than to play tricks on his friends—the birds, the rabbits, and even the grumpy old badger. He was a merry little fellow, but oh, how he could vex the others with his pranks!
One fine, moonlit night, as Olivia blinked her golden eyes at the starry sky, she noticed Sammy prancing about below her, a glint of mischief about him. He was busy preparing to carry out another of his silly tricks.
In the branches overhead, Sammy set a long rope leading to a tin can, all ready to fall with a great clatter as soon as a bird happened to trip over it.
“Now, I wonder who will be the first to come along,” he giggled to himself, barely able to contain his glee.
A steady voice floated down from above him. “Do not be too sure, my young friend,” said Olivia quietly.
“Good evening, Miss Olivia! How very nice it must be to sit up there doing nothing and dreaming all evening,” said Sammy with a grin. “You excite interest in the events going by, like a news-boy.”
“Yes, my little friend, it is very nice,” replied Olivia, without taking any notice of Sammy’s ill-natured joke.
Just then, a poor little bird flew innocently down on its way to its nest and stepped on the string.
Crash! The can fell to the ground, and the bird flew away terrified.
“Poor little thing, poor little thing!” hooted Olivia. “Now you have disturbed her peace for this night.”
“Oh,” said Sammy in surprise, “you were not in earnest, surely?”
But Olivia only pretended to be asleep. After a while, Sammy grew ashamed of himself and quietly decided to remove the rope and the can. Over his shoulder he spied the kindly old owl still on her perch, and he said, “I am sorry for my poor little friends disturbed by my foolish tricks,” and up he ran to the branch beside Olivia.
One day, he was passing the old oak tree, swinging his fluffy tail, when he suddenly came near falling from the branch that gave way under his feet. But Olivia had been watching, of course, and reached out her wing just in time to steady him. He gave her a grateful look.
“Think before you act, my little friend,” said Olivia, with a twinkle in her wise, golden eyes.
And Sammy did, then he sat down and gave her his news from all parts of the big old forest, saving her from missing so much even if his own pranks kept going.