Tessy the Tortoise tapped Emma Rabbit on her shoulder. “Want to race to Patty Turtle’s house?”
Emma wiggled her whiskers. “Hmm. Maybe after I have an afternoon snack. I think I’m too hungry to race right now.”
“How about if the winner’s prize is sweet leaves for supper?” Tessy said. “Patty picked a bushel full this morning.”
Emma smiled. “I love sweet leaves. Let’s go!” She sped by slow stepping Tessy with big, fast hops.
“Help!” cried a voice. “Woof, woof, help!”
Emma stopped and looked around. “Harry Hound is that you?”
“Sure is.” Harry’s snout popped through a bush, then the rest of him popped through as well. “Leslie Lamb is trapped in a hole, and I can’t reach far enough to pull her out. Can you help?”
Emma thought of winning sweet leaves for supper. Then she thought of Leslie trapped in the hole. “Lead the way!” she cried. “Maybe I can hold onto your tail so you can stretch out enough to reach her.”
When they arrived at the hole Harry inched his way forward to its edge. “Okay, Emma, grab my tail but please don’t squeeze it too tight.”
I’ll hold it just tight enough to keep you from falling into the hole,” Emma promised.
Harry reached downward with his front paws. “Grab one of my paws, Leslie,” he called, “and don’t let go.”
Leslie Lamb grabbed on.
Harry dug his hind feet into the dirt and pulled. Emma held Harry’s tail gently so he wouldn’t slide forward. Soon they had Leslie out of the hole.
“Whew!” Harry said, panting. “Woof, woof, woof! We did it!”
“Not ba-a-ad,” Leslie said. “Thank you both very much. It was scary in that hole. Now I need a long drink.”
“We all do,” Harry said. He led the way to a nearby creek.
“This tastes good,” Emma said, smacking her lips. She patted a little water on her forehead. “It feels good, too. But I’m also really really hungry, and Tessy and I are racing for sweet leaves so-- Good bye!” She waved to Harry and Leslie and hopped back to the road as fast as she could.
Patty Turtle’s house was just ahead. So was Tessy Tortoise. In fact, Tessy and Patty were both seated outside Patty’s house, and in front of them was a huge pile of sweet leaves.
Tessy looked up as Emma skidded to a stop. “I came in first, Emma, but Patty and I are willing to share, aren’t we Patty.”
“Umm, crunch…crunch…sure…crunch,” said Patty.
“Thanks,” said Emma. “I had a bit of an adventure which slowed me down.” She told Tessy and Patty about how Harry Hound and she had rescued Leslie Lamb.
“That was very nice of you, Emma,” Tessy said. “I guess everyone was a winner today. And you certainly deserve sweet leaves for supper.”
