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On the very first warm day of spring, Ava packed a basket and skipped out to the meadow.
Animal Friends
Ava and the Meadow Friends
For Ava, age 4
For Ava — who makes friends wherever she goes.
11 pages
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The grass was tall and the dandelions were taller. Bees buzzed by like tiny golden taxis.
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Out from behind a tuft of clover hopped a small white bunny. “Hello,” she said politely. “Are you Ava?”
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Then came a fox with a stripy scarf and a sleepy bear who'd just woken up from his winter nap.
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“We're having a picnic,” said the bunny, “but our basket got nibbled by a goat. Will you share yours?”
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Ava spread out her blanket. There were strawberries, honey sandwiches, and three buttery scones.
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The bear ate his scone in one bite. The fox laughed so hard he snorted. Ava giggled too.
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“Tell us a story!” said the bunny. So Ava told them all about her cat and the time he ate her sock.
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They made flower crowns and chased butterflies and lay in the grass watching cloud shapes.
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When the sun melted gold across the meadow, the friends walked Ava home, paw in hand.
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“Same time tomorrow?” the bunny asked. “Same time tomorrow,” said Ava.
