StorySafari
Otis leaned into the little boat. “It’s ready!” The picnic basket was waiting inside. Maple and Poppy smiled. At last, they could row across Willow Lake to visit Grandma Goose on her island.
The friends climbed aboard. Maple and Poppy settled beside the picnic basket, safe between the benches. Otis pushed his oar through the water. The boat slid away from shore, and Poppy smiled back at the dock.
Otis rowed across the lake. “What do you think Grandma Goose packed for our picnic?” Maple asked. Poppy grinned at the island ahead. “Let’s find out!” Their boat carried them toward Grandma’s shore.
Then grey clouds rolled over the lake. Otis paused with his oar lifted. Maple held a paw on the picnic basket and looked up. Poppy turned toward the sky as the cool wind tugged at the water.
The wind began to whistle, and a small wave rocked the boat. Otis gripped his oar. Maple leaned closer, keeping a paw on the basket. Poppy leaned in beside her. “I’m scared,” she whispered.
Then Poppy remembered Grandma Goose’s words. “God is with us, even in the wind,” she said. Otis and Maple listened. Poppy’s words helped them feel a little braver.
The three friends held paws above the picnic basket. Otis and Maple bowed their heads. Poppy smiled gently. “Dear God, please help us be brave,” they prayed together.
Their hearts felt calmer. Otis rowed slowly, and Maple rowed steadily. Poppy kept the picnic basket safe between them. The boat moved forward, one steady stroke at a time.
Grandma Goose saw them from the island shore. She raised a lantern high. Its light showed Otis and Maple where to row, while Poppy smiled toward Grandma.
Otis and Maple paddled toward the shore, one steady stroke after another. Poppy held the picnic basket and looked up. The clouds were parting, and the wind had softened. Grandma Goose’s lantern still showed them the way.
The boat reached the island shore. Otis smiled from the boat as Maple stepped onto the sand with the picnic basket. Poppy hurried beside Maple to greet Grandma Goose. Above them, a rainbow arched over the lake. Grandma opened her wings in welcome.
At the picnic table, the friends bowed their heads. “Thank you, God, for staying with us,” they said. Grandma Goose smiled. “Faith doesn’t mean you never feel scared,” she told them. “It means remembering you are never alone.” Then they shared their picnic beneath the fading rainbow.
