Fox And Owl’s Breakfast

Fox walked under the tall tree at dawn. His face was down. He looked for breakfast.

The forest was cool and green. Dew sat on the grass like tiny beads. Fox heard leaves move under his paws.

“Quiet feet,” Fox whispered. “Maybe I will find a good meal.”

Above him, Owl rested on a branch. Her two chicks slept close beside her. The tree felt warm in the first light of day.

Fox stepped slowly. He did not want to make a sound. He walked past a root. He walked past a fern. Then his paw touched a dry twig.

Crack!

Fox stopped.

Owl opened one eye. Her sharp ears heard the small sound. She lifted her head and looked down.

“Hello, Fox!” she called. “What are you up to this morning?”

Fox looked up. He smiled, but he kept his thoughts to himself.

I wish Owl would come down, he thought. Then she could be my breakfast.

But Fox spoke in a polite voice. “Good morning, Owl. I am looking for some breakfast.”

Owl blinked. The morning sun touched her soft feathers.

“Breakfast sounds nice,” she said. “I have two chicks to care for.”

Fox sat below the tree. “I am a very good babysitter,” he said. “I am ready to help.”

Owl looked at Fox. She did not know what he wanted. She only knew that his quiet walk had brought him to her tree.

“Hmm,” said Owl. “I have been looking for a sitter for my chicks. You can stay here while I go out. You can feed them whatever you find.”

Fox’s tail moved in the grass.

“That sounds good,” he said.

Owl stretched her wings. Her chicks stirred on the branch. The tree was still safe and calm, but the morning had changed. Fox had wanted to walk past the tree and find food. Now Owl had heard him.

“Please wait here,” Owl said. “I will be back soon.”

Fox looked up at the nest. He nodded.

“Yes, Owl,” he said.

Owl flew to a nearby branch. She watched Fox for a moment. Fox sat under the tree and looked at the bright forest.

Owl still did not know what Fox wanted. What do you think Fox will do next?