Friend Bridge

The bamboo forest was bright and green, and the air smelled like fresh leaves. Pao the panda cub hummed a happy tune as he waddled along the path. His round ears twitched when he heard footsteps behind him.

“Wait for us!” called Lin, a big gentle panda with a soft, slow voice. Little Nini tumbled after them, hugging her small wooden panda toy. “We’re coming! I packed pear slices!” she chirped.

Pao smiled. “Let’s have our picnic by the Laughing Brook,” he said. The three friends followed the sound of water until the trees opened to a sparkling stream. It gurgled and bubbled over smooth stones, throwing tiny rainbows in the sunshine.

But something was different today. The water was wide and busy from last night’s rain. The stepping stones they used like a tiny path were covered by splashing waves.

“Oh no,” Nini whispered. “How will we get to the big flat rock where we always sit?” She hugged her toy closer. It slipped from her paws and plopped on the far bank, right next to their favorite picnic spot. “My wooden panda!”

Pao peered at the stream. “We can’t jump,” he said. “It’s too wide. And we shouldn’t wade. It’s too fast.” He thought and thought. Lin scratched his chin with a bamboo leaf.

“Croak!” came a friendly voice. A green frog with shiny eyes peeked out from a mossy stone. “Name’s Sprig. Trouble crossing?”

“Yes, please,” said Lin. “Our lunch and Nini’s toy are over there.”

Sprig puffed his throat thoughtfully. “The water is swift in the middle but slow at the edges,” he said. “See the little swirls near the bank? That means you could reach across there. Also, I saw a long piece of bamboo that fell after the rain.” He pointed with his tiny foot.

Pao’s eyes brightened. “A bridge!” he cheered. “We can build a bridge!”

Nini clapped. “Can it be a friend bridge?”

“Only if we build it together,” Lin said, smiling.

They searched the bank and found two long, fallen bamboo poles. Pao dragged one, panting a little. Lin lifted the other, strong and steady. Nini scampered about gathering long green vines like ribbons. Sprig hopped along the edge, watching the water.

“Let’s lay the poles where the water is calmest,” Pao said. He tested the ground with his paw. “Here.”

Lin lowered the first bamboo pole onto a pair of big rocks that peeked from the stream. Pao and Nini tugged the second pole beside it. Together they knotted the vines around the bamboo and rocks. Lin tied careful loops. Pao tugged to make sure they were snug. Nini made neat bows.

“Before we walk, let’s test!” Pao said. He and Nini made two leaf boats and set them on the water near their bridge. The boats slid lazily along the edge and didn’t spin away. Sprig nodded. “Good choice.”

Pao stepped onto the bamboo. It felt springy under his paws. He took a breath. “I’ll go first,” he said softly. “I’m small, and I’ll move slow.” Lin stood behind him, a strong, warm shadow. Nini watched with wide eyes, her paws pressed together.

One paw, then another. Pao kept his knees bendy so he wouldn’t wobble. A splash tickled his toes. “You can do it!” Nini called. “You’re as careful as a turtle!”

Pao reached the far bank with a grin. He scooped up Nini’s wooden panda and the basket that had rolled over earlier. “All safe!” he shouted. Sprig hopped to the middle of the bridge and blinked happily.

“Your turn,” Pao said. Lin moved slowly, balancing with his arms stretched out. Nini followed after, tiny steps, tiny giggles. Halfway across her foot slipped, but Lin reached back and steadied her. “I’ve got you,” he said. Nini squeezed his paw. “Thanks, Lin.”

Soon all three friends were together on the flat rock. They unpacked crunchy bamboo shoots and sweet pear slices. Sprig sat on a sunny pebble, and they shared a bit of pear with him too.

“This is the best picnic,” Nini sighed, snuggling her toy. “I like our friend bridge.”

Pao tied a leaf to the vines like a little green flag. “Now everyone will know,” he said. “If someone needs to cross, our bridge can help.”

Lin chewed thoughtfully. “We built it with careful paws and kind hearts,” he said.

Sprig gave a happy croak. “And smart thinking,” he added. “Don’t forget that.”

They lingered in the warm breeze, listening to the brook chuckle around the rocks. When it was time to go, they crossed their bamboo bridge together, step by step, paw in paw.

Back on the forest path, the leaves whispered and the birds chattered. Pao glanced at his friends and smiled. The stream still sparkled, the air still smelled like fresh leaves, and their new friend bridge gleamed green and gold in the sun.

“With friends,” Pao said, “big puddles feel small.”

Nini giggled. “And small pandas feel brave.”

Lin nodded, pleased. “Let’s come back tomorrow,” he said.

“Tomorrow,” they agreed, and their laughter skipped along the path like a little song.