Room for One More Leaf

Esme the rabbit sat beside Mama beneath the willow tree. On her lap lay two leaf crowns. One was for her. The spare crown had room for one more leaf. Across the clearing, two young mice rolled acorns down a log. A small bear named Ben sorted leaves nearby.

Esme watched Ben lift a yellow leaf toward the sun. She wanted to invite him to make crowns. She picked up the spare and stood. Then Ben looked her way. Esme slipped the crown behind her back. What if he said no? Her tummy tightened. She stayed beside the tree.

"I'm worried," she told Mama. "He might not want to." Mama rested a paw beside hers. "You don't know what he'll say. It can feel scary to ask." Esme leaned against Mama's warm side. Mama stayed close while Esme rubbed the edge of a leaf.