The Fox Who Collected Moonlight

Finnegan was a small fox with fur the color of autumn leaves. Every night, while other foxes slept, he crept to the edge of the forest where a grumpy old bull lived. Farmer Brown's bull was enormous, with horns that curved like crescent moons and a nose that snorted smoke whenever anyone came near.

But Finnegan had discovered something magical. Behind the bull's favorite sleeping tree grew a single papaya tree, its fruit glowing softly in the moonlight like tiny lanterns. Tonight, Finnegan needed one papaya — it was his little sister's birthday, and she had never tasted anything so sweet.

The fox tiptoed across the meadow, his paws barely making a sound in the tall grass. But suddenly, there it was — a great rushing of water! Someone had left the garden hose running, and now a small river was flowing straight toward the papaya tree. The precious fruit would be washed away!

Finnegan darted forward, but the water was too fast. He couldn't stop it alone.

Then he saw the bull's eyes open, glowing like amber jewels in the darkness. Finnegan trembled, but he had to try.

"Please!" the fox squeaked. "The papayas!"

To Finnegan's surprise, the old bull lumbered to his feet. He saw the water rushing toward his favorite tree. With a mighty grunt, the bull planted himself in the flowing water, using his massive body like a dam. The water parted around him, streaming harmlessly into the grass.

The papaya tree was safe!

The bull lowered his head and nudged a perfect papaya toward Finnegan. His eyes twinkled with kindness.

"Happy birthday," the bull seemed to say.

Finnegan learned that night that sometimes the grumpiest looking creatures have the biggest hearts. And from then on, every full moon, the little fox brought the lonely bull a papaya, and they watched the moonrise together — two unlikely friends, both collecting magic in their own way.

For even a bull needs someone to share his secrets with, and even a fox needs someone big enough to protect the things he loves.