Barnaby Beaver and the Little Red School House

Barnaby Beaver was excited but nervous about his first day at the Little Red School House in Mossy Rock Forest. As he stood at the entrance, Principal Porcupine introduced him to the class. - Whoo might this be? asked Mrs. Owl. - I would like to introduce Barnaby; he is new to our school, so let’s all make him feel welcomed! announced Principal Porcupine. Barnaby noticed he was the only beaver in the classroom. His heart raced as everyone stared at him, wondering if he would fit in.

At recess, Barnaby watched his classmates play, but no one invited him to join. He felt out of place and unsure how to make friends. - If I could come to school looking fashionable tomorrow, Penny Peacock would surely let me play with her and her friends! Barnaby thought. He decided to create something colorful to impress Penny and her friends. That night, he painted his mother's feather duster with bright colors.

The next day, Barnaby wore the painted feather duster on his tail to school. - What a brilliant display of fashionable colors, Barnaby! Penny Peacock exclaimed. - Would you like to be in our fashion show? she asked. But as he took his place on stage, a gust of wind blew the feathers away. - I'm sorry, Barnaby, but you can no longer be in our show, Penny said sadly. Barnaby walked away, feeling embarrassed.

Barnaby decided to try his luck with Darrel Deer-Horn, the athletic deer. He made antlers out of branches and wore them to school. - What an excellent pair of antlers, Barnaby! Darrel said, inviting him to play on his team. But during the game, Barnaby's helmet unfastened and his antlers fell off. - I'm sorry, Barnaby, but you can no longer be on my team, Darrel said. Barnaby felt even more alone.

Feeling discouraged, Barnaby sat by the river, watching his reflection. He wished he was back in Tree Knot Village with his old friends. - If I could look like Randy Raccoon, he will surely let me play with him! Barnaby thought. He found an old masquerade mask at home and decided to wear it to school. He hoped this would be his chance to fit in.

Barnaby wore the mask to recess, hoping to play with Randy and his friends. - What an excellent robber disguise, Barnaby! Randy said. But as they played, the mask slipped, and Barnaby tripped, causing him to fall and ruin the game. - Sorry, Barnaby, but you can no longer play cops and robbers with us, Randy said. Barnaby felt defeated and walked away, his hopes crushed.

That evening, Barnaby sat sadly at the kitchen table. - I cannot seem to make any friends no matter what I do, he told his mom. - It's best to be yourself, Barnaby, and you'll make friends soon enough, she reassured him. As they listened to the radio, a flood warning was announced. Barnaby decided to wear his raincoat to school, just in case.

The next morning, as Barnaby arrived at school, the flood siren rang loudly. - There is a giant wave of water coming down the winding river! Principal Porcupine shouted. Everyone panicked, unsure what to do. Barnaby remembered his training at the Beaver Academy. He knew he had to act quickly to save the school.

Barnaby ran to the riverbank where a great pine tree stood. He started gnawing at the trunk with his enormous front teeth. With a final whack of his big tail, the tree fell, damming the river just in time. The giant wave smashed against the tree, diverting the water away from the school. Everyone cheered, grateful for Barnaby's bravery.

The next day, Barnaby arrived at school to find everyone dressed like beavers. - Can we play beaver dam with you, Barnaby? his classmates asked. - I would be delighted, Barnaby said with a bow. He realized he didn't need to change himself to fit in. His courage and true self had won him friends after all.