Toby was a termite with big dreams. While his cousins chewed holes in fences, Toby wanted to build things.
“Don’t let him near your treehouse!” warned the squirrels.
“He’ll eat it in a snap!” the rabbits added.
Toby’s heart sank. No one trusted him. He didn’t want to ruin homes; he wanted to create them.
So, with his tiny hard hat and little hammer (yes, he had one), Toby kept practicing in secret, stacking twigs and mud into funny little towers.
A Storm Splits the Forest
One summer night, a giant storm rolled through the forest. Rain poured, thunder cracked, and lightning flashed!
When the storm cleared, the animals discovered a huge river had split the forest in two. The bridge of stones they once used was washed away.
“Oh no!” cried the hedgehogs. “We can’t get to the berry bushes!”
“What about our acorn market?” wailed the squirrels.
Everyone panicked, except Toby.
He scratched his chin. “Maybe… I can help.”
The animals gasped. “A termite? Build a bridge? You’ll eat it before we cross!”
But Toby grinned. “Not this time. I’ll build a bridge you can trust!”
Building the Bridge of Trust
Toby rolled up his tiny sleeves and got to work.
He used mud like glue, twigs for planks, and leaves for decoration. The animals peeked nervously.
“Are you sure it won’t fall apart?” asked Bella the owl.
“Of course! I tested it with my cousin Gary. He’s chubby!” Toby said proudly.
The animals giggled. Slowly, laughter replaced doubt. They even joined in: the beavers carried logs, the ants brought ropey vines, and the birds dropped feathers for padding.
Piece by piece, the bridge stretched across the river, shining under the sun.
Crossing with Confidence
Finally, it was time to test. The rabbits tiptoed across first, then the hedgehogs, then the deer. The bridge held strong!
“Whee!” squealed the squirrels, bouncing on it.
“It’s bouncy and sturdy!” laughed the raccoons.
At last, Bella the owl announced: “Toby, you didn’t just build a bridge, you built the Bridge of Trust!”
Toby’s ears wiggled with pride. For the first time, the animals didn’t see him as a wood-eater. They saw him as a builder, a helper, and—best of all—a friend.
And so, whenever the forest faced trouble, the animals remembered: even the smallest termite could build the biggest trust.
The End !
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