BY CAMERON ROBINSON

Once upon a time, in a small village surrounded by a forest, lived a little girl named Mandy. In the forest surrounding the village lived a wolf.

Mandy was told by her parents that wolves were scary and would eat little girls so she should never go into the forest alone. Mandy said, “I promise I will never go into the forest alone!”

Mandy was told by her grandmother that wolves were mean and eat little girls so she should never go into the forest alone. Mandy said, “I promise I’ll never go into the forest alone!”

Mandy was told by her teacher that wolves were ferocious and eat little girls so she should never go into the forest alone. Mandy said, “I promise I’ll never go into the forest alone!”

The Wolf’s mother told the wolf not to go near the village because a hunter could shoot him. The wolf said, “I promise I’ll never go near the village!”

The wolf leader told the wolf not to go near the village because a hunter could chop him with an axe. The wolf said, “I promise I’ll never go near the village.”

The wise old wolf told the wolf not to go near the village because he could fall in a pot of boiling water. The wolf said, “I promise I’ll never go near the village.”

One windy day Mandy was playing with her new kite. The kite blew into a tree in the forest. Mandy remembered her promise… but…

On the same windy day, the wolf was kicking his new ball. He kicked it up high and the wind caught it and blew it into the village. The wolf remembered his promise… but…

Mandy saw the wolf. The wolf saw Mandy. “Excuse me,” Mandy said, because she was taught to use her manners. “Could you please help me get my kite out of the tree?” “Certainly,” said the wolf, because he was taught to be helpful. “Could you please pass me my ball?” “Certainly,” said Mandy.

The wolf got the kite down and gave it back to Mandy. Mandy gave the ball back to the wolf.

The wolf said, “Thank you for getting my ball because I’m not allowed to go into the village.” Mandy said, “Thank you for getting my kite down because I’m not allowed to go into the forest.”

Mandy thought to herself, “That’s odd. I thought wolves were mean and ate little girls!” The wolf thought to himself, “That’s odd. I thought humans were mean and killed wolves!”

The wolf asked Mandy, “Would you like to play ball with me?” Mandy replied, “I’m not allowed into the forest. Sorry.” The wolf thought for a moment. “Perhaps we can throw the ball from one side to the other. Then, we can still play together, but you are on your side and I am on mine.” Mandy smiled. “That’s a great idea!” Mandy and the wolf played all afternoon until dinner time.