It was morning in the meadow. The sun caressed the grass blades with warm yellow light, and puddles of fresh rain glittered like tiny mirrors. Rosie the fox cub tied a red ribbon to the end of her tail and carried a basket of apples. Today she was going to have a picnic on top of the hill with Tommy the turtle and Pip the little mouse.

— Today we share everything! — laughed Rosie.

At the edge of the field, Tommy, whose greenish shell shone like a smooth pebble, and Pip, who had brought a checkered tablecloth in his backpack, were already waiting.

— To the hill! — chirped Pip.

They started off, but a few turns later, they stopped. The path was blocked by a huge puddle. It was as wide as a small lake. Dragonflies danced above it, and at the edge of the mud, tiny bubbles popped.

— Wow! — whispered Pip. — This is not a puddle, this is a giant puddle!

— I jump over it! — said Rosie cheerfully, and paused on the rim. — Hop...

— Wait! — said Tommy. — The middle might be deep.

At this, a green frog peeked out from behind a grass clump.

— Brekeke! The middle is really deep. The edge is shallow, but slippery! — he warned them, then made a big splash and swam away.

Rosie sat down and put her chin on her paw.

— We would need a bridge.

— Or stepping stones — mumbled Tommy. — I am strong. I can push and carry.

— I have a string — said Pip, and dug out a red and white string from the bag. — We can tie branches with it.

Quickly they went to work. Rosie ran and collected dry, light branches. Under her feet twigs snapped with soft crackling. Pip looked for flat stones on the bank, and with every find shouted happily: — Got it!

Tommy slowly but surely pushed a thin piece of driftwood. His shell sometimes knocked against the stones, but he just smiled.

— This will be the base — he said. — Strong, like me.

They put together the first row of the bridge: the trunk piece, branches, and stones. Pip wound the string around it, but the structure was still wobbly. The wind ruffled it, and one of the branches slid down into the splashing water.

— Wait! — shouted Rosie, and took off her red ribbon. — I’ll lend it. I give friends everything that is needed.

Pip carefully tied the ribbon to the string and looped the knots tighter. Tommy supported the base with his shell, while Rosie adjusted the stones.

— Now let's try it together — suggested Tommy.

Rosie stepped first. The bridge creaked softly, but held. After her, Pip took tiny steps, then Tommy followed, slowly and seriously. One, two, three steps, and they were already in the middle, when a quiet cry for help was heard:

— Hey, someone help!

At the edge of the mud, a spotted beetle lay on its back, flailing its legs in the air.

— Right away! — said Rosie.

Tommy carefully reached out and, with a grass blade, flicked the beetle, who immediately stood on its feet.

— Thank you! — he panted. — I am Dot. I tipped over in the mud.

— Come with us! — invited Pip. — We're having a picnic on the hill.

They crossed the bridge and reached the top of the hill. They spread the checkered tablecloth, and in turn, the treats came out: apple rings, carrot coins, and crunchy seeds.

— There is enough for everyone — said Rosie, and handed Dot an apple piece too.

— And I’ll show you something — Dot's eyes lit up. — You can fold a ship from a leaf!

They chose a wide leaf, and Dot skillfully folded it. After they ate their fill, they walked back to the edge of the puddle. The little leaf ship rocked on the water, and slowly floated away next to the bridge.

— Look, how cleverly it sails! — clapped Pip.

— Our bridge is clever too — added Tommy, and proudly patted the trunk.

— This is the Friendship Bridge — stated Rosie. — It will be good for others too.

The sun shone even more warmly, the scent of grass filled the meadow. The friends settled down next to the bridge and watched as a ladybug, then a snail, crossed it bravely. The puddle didn't seem giant anymore, but only a shiny toy in the middle of the meadow.

— If we are together, everything is easier — said Pip softly.

— And more cheerful — added Rosie.

Tommy nodded.

— And stronger.

They smiled and had no intention of hurrying. For with friends, not only does the bridge hold better – their hearts do too.