Ollie and the Wet Book

Ollie the Owl loved Grandpa Hoot’s big book of stars.

“May I borrow it?” asked Ollie.

“Of course,” said Grandpa. “Please take good care of it.”

Ollie read the book on a branch in the garden all afternoon. Then Ollie flew off to play and forgot all about it.

That night, it rained.

In the morning, Ollie found the book on the branch. The pages were soggy and wavy, and the stars were smudged.

Ollie’s tummy felt twisty. “Maybe I could hide it,” Ollie thought. “Grandpa might never know.”

But the twisty feeling got worse and worse.

Ollie took a deep breath and flew to Grandpa Hoot with the wet book.

“Grandpa,” said Ollie quietly, “I left your book outside and the rain spoiled it. I’m really sorry.”

Grandpa looked at the book. Then he looked at Ollie.

“I’m sad about my book,” he said. “But I’m very glad that you told me the truth. That was brave.”

The twisty feeling in Ollie’s tummy floated away.

Together, Ollie and Grandpa laid the pages in the sunshine to dry. And that evening, they made a brand-new book of stars, just for the two of them.