A Perfect Home. In this story of perseverance a little beaver tries to build a perfect shelter by copying the other forest creatures. Yet, this young animal soon learns that patience is required to create something special.
Make your child the main character. Replace this (_____) with your child’s name.
A Perfect Home

One sunny morning, _____ , a beaver, was walking by the river…

… when he came across his father gnawing at a tree trunk.

“What are you doing?” he asked.

“Building us a dam,” his father replied. “Would you like to help?”

_____ sighed. It was a very big tree trunk, and the task seemed to require a lot of hard work.

“No thanks,” he said.” I can build a better home in half the time.”

His father shrugged…

…and went back to work.

_____ looked around the forest, wondering where he should live.

It wasn’t long before he spotted some sparrows in an oak tree. Their nest looked like the perfect home.

Excited, he climbed to the top of the tree.

Gathering twigs and leaves, _____ made himself a nest on the highest branch.

Yet, when he climbed inside and looked down below, he felt a little uneasy.

It was awfully high, and he was so far from the river. maybe this wasn’t the perfect home after all.

_____ glanced down at the rabbits hopping in and out of their underground house. Their burrow looked like the perfect home.

Digging a small hole in the mud, _____ made his very own burrow.

Feeling pleased with himself, he climbed inside and observed his new home.

It was awfully dark, and he felt rather squished down there in the ground. maybe this wasn’t the perfect home after all.

When _____ peeked above ground, he saw a deer family resting nearby. Their spot amidst the tall grass looked like the perfect home.

Feeling sure this was a great plan, _____ found a comfortable spot in the grass and relaxed.

Suddenly, he heard a rustling sound nearby. Something was coming towards him.

_____ looked up and saw a red tail moving in the wind.

Nervously, he peered over the grass and came face to face with a hungry red fox.

As quick as a flash, the beaver scurried away to safety.

Running through the forest, _____ felt alone and exhausted.

When he eventually made it back to the river, he found his father standing happily beside his dam.

The dam was piled high with logs and twigs, forming a pool of calm water inside.

“Will you help me with this last log?” asked his father.

“Yes,” said _____, realizing his father’s design was in fact very clever.

_____ rolled the log into place and admired his work.

His father led him through a secret underwater opening and into the dam.

In the center of the pool, his father had built a comfortable little island for them to sleep on.

_____ climbed onto the island and reclined. He finally felt at home.

How did you build such a perfect home?” he asked his father.

“With patience and perseverance,” he replied, smiling. “Next time, I will show you how.”

“I’d love that,” said _____, realizing his father truly did have so much to teach him.

Feeling safe and happy, he quickly fell asleep.