In a wonderful forest, in a cosy hollow of a mighty oak tree, lived a charming little squirrel. And she was beautiful in every way. Her fur was sleek, her tail was fluffy, and the tufts on her ears were absolutely delightful, and the way she bounded through the trees was breathtaking. Even her name was beautiful — Bella. The only trouble was that the little squirrel had no friends. And that was because she was always choosing, and could never find anyone better than herself.
One day she was walking through the forest. She met a cheerful and nimble hare.
Oh, Bella, let's run together. We're going to play tag with the other animals.
No way, Hare! You're cross-eyed, your ears are long, and your tail is just a little bob, and your name is b-r-r
The squirrel snorted and bounded off.
A name is a name — "Longears" — my mum gave it to me and I don't need any other
The Hare thought cheerfully and ran off to his friends.
The squirrel met a little mouse near her home one day.
Bella, please help me, my burrow entrance is blocked with pine cones, and my paw hurts.
Not a chance. You're so tiny, and you seem to be poorly too. No, you'll manage on your own
And she hid away in her hollow.
And one day a white bear cub named Snowball came to visit the brown bear.
The squirrel saw them together and started laughing at Snowball:
Ha-ha-ha, hee-hee-hee. White as snow, and your name is Snowball too. Oh, I'll split my sides laughing, ha-ho-hee, have you looked at yourself in a mirror?
Bella mocked him.
Snowball burst into tears, feeling hurt. He had always been proud of his white fur, but now they were laughing at him and insulting him.
The animals wouldn't stand for it. And the brown bear spoke in his deep voice:
So what, should we all be squirrels? And live without friends? Open your eyes and look around: everyone is different, in height, in colour, in talents. Everyone has their own special qualities. The hare is cross-eyed, but those eyes help him see all his enemies. And he's fast and cheerful.
The little mouse is small but clever. She always helps everyone. And the fact that she twisted her paw — well, that can happen to anyone. But she's so kind. And why are you hurting my Snowball? He was born white, and you're red, and I'm brown, and the frog is green. So should we laugh at you? My bear cub won't be seen in the white snow in winter, but your fiery beauty can be seen from a kilometre away. So which is better?
The bear growled and asked:
Should we all be squirrels?
And live without friends like this?
Look around quickly
And perhaps you'll understand.
And the ant spoke as if he were the bravest of all:
There are differences in this world beyond counting, and each one here is just as they are.
A tiny ant, but oh so clever.
A hedgehog not very big, but with a big heart.
Though covered in spines, he's not mean at all.
The hedgehog also spoke, though he'd been silent until now:
A white hare, a red fox. A green frog is lovely too.
If a grasshopper has a broken leg, that doesn't mean he's bad now.
One is faster, another is more agile. One is kinder, another is wiser.
There are differences in this world beyond counting, and each one here is just as they are.
The friends all spoke together:
It's not for us to decide, it's not for us to judge.
For we must live together in friendship.
