Freddy Fox woke up early 

and crawled out of his den. 

It was a beautiful spring morning 

and the sun was just 

peaking over the treetops.

It was going to be a beautiful, 

warm spring day 

but Freddy didn’t have time to notice.

Today was a very special day.

Freddy turned and 

hurried down the trail 

to his best friend, 

Ronnie Raccoon’s den. 

Ronnie was already 

waiting for Freddy.

“Hurry Freddy!” Ronnie exclaimed, 

jumping up and down excitedly. 

“We have to hurry!”

The two friends ran 

down the trail 

to meet their 

other forest friends,

Darla Deer and Oscar Owl.

“Oh, there they come.” 

Darla said to Oscar, 

looking up the trail, pointing 

at her friends hurrying along 

the forest path.

Freddy and Ronnie skidded 

to a stop beside 

Oscar’s treehouse 

where he and Darla 

were waiting.

“Hurry, hurry! they all giggled,

and the four friends tuned 

and began running 

down the path again.

“Oh I hope we make it 

in time.” Darla cried 

as the four friends ran 

faster and faster. 

“I didn’t think you were 

 going to get here 

in time!” Darla cried 

and the four friends 

began to jump up and 

down excitedly

They ran around the last 

curve on the path and almost 

ran right over Bertha Bunny and 

all her bunny brothers and sisters. 

All of the bunnies were chatting excitedly.

“I’m so glad you made it.” 

Bertha said to her four 

forest friends. 

“I was afraid you 

were going to miss it.”

The five friends squeezed 

to the front of the crowd 

of forest animals who had 

gathered around the great 

hollow tree. They had gathered 

for the big event, one of the 

most exciting events of the season.

All the animals chattered and 

giggled, impatiently waiting.

Then a low rumble came 

from the great tree.

“It’s happening!” the five 

friends said in unison.

Everyone held their breath 

and looked at the dark hole 

in the great, old tree trunk. 

With a great rumble,

Momma Bear emerged 

from the hole in the old tree, a big smile on her face.