Lena tiptoed forward, the golden light glimmering just ahead. The silver-tailed squirrel at her side chattered with excitement, whiskers twitching. Mossy earth muffled their steps as they pushed through a curtain of ferns. Suddenly, a second squirrel popped out from behind a log, its fur a patchwork of chestnut and cream. It wore a tiny acorn cap like a helmet and grinned at Lena.
"Can you help me find my acorn?" the new squirrel asked, bouncing from paw to paw. "I dropped it somewhere near the glowing mushrooms, but now it’s gone!"
Lena’s eyes sparkled. "Of course! Let’s look together." The three of them searched under roots and behind mossy rocks. The forest seemed to hum with gentle magic—flowers swayed to a silent tune, and fireflies danced between the shadows. Lena checked beneath a cluster of glowing blue mushrooms, but only found soft, spongy earth.
Suddenly, a deep, rumbling roar echoed through the trees. Lena froze. The silver-tailed squirrel’s tail bristled, and the acorn-capped squirrel squeaked, "What was that?"
Lena’s heart beat fast, but she gathered her courage. "It might be an animal who needs help too," she whispered, glancing at her new friends. The squirrels nodded, though their eyes were wide.
Creeping toward the sound, Lena spotted a tuft of golden fur tangled in a bush. She pushed aside a low branch and saw a small, golden cub—no bigger than a housecat—pinned by a bramble. Its eyes shone with tears. The cub let out another, smaller roar, more frightened than fierce.
"It’s stuck!" Lena gasped. With gentle fingers, she untangled the brambles while the squirrels comforted the cub. Once free, the cub nuzzled Lena’s hand, purring in relief.
"Thank you," it said in a soft, magical voice. "I was scared."
Lena smiled, feeling brave. "We’re all safe now. But we still need to find that acorn."
The golden cub sniffed the air, then darted behind the glowing mushrooms. With a triumphant yip, it returned, balancing the lost acorn on its nose.
The squirrels cheered. Lena felt warmth bloom in her chest. As they celebrated, a gentle breeze stirred the leaves above, carrying with it a faint, sparkling laughter.
But before Lena could ask whose laughter it was, the golden cub’s ears perked up. "Did you hear that? It sounds like someone calling for help... deeper in the forest. Should we go see?"
Lena glanced at her friends, excitement tingling in her fingertips. What new adventure awaited them just beyond the next grove?