Little Gorilla Makes His Bed

At sunset in the forest, the gorillas gathered leafy branches to make their beds. Father Gorilla pulled thick branches from a tree. Little Gorilla grabbed one, too. He tugged hard. The branch creaked but didn’t break.

“Need help?” Father Gorilla asked.

“No, thanks,” Little Gorilla said. “I’m going to make my own bed this time.”

Little Gorilla spotted a bush with thinner branches. He reached out to grab one.

“Wait!” Antelope yelled. “What are you doing, Little Gorilla?”

“I’m making my bed.”

“But those leaves are too tasty for a bed,” Antelope said. “They’re for eating.”

“OK,” Little Gorilla said. “I’ll find branches somewhere else.”

Little Gorilla grabbed a branch from the next bush.

“Who’s there?” a voice squawked.

Little Gorilla peeked into the leaves. There sat Parrot on a nest.

“What are you doing, Little Gorilla?” Parrot asked.

“I’m making my bed.”

“If you take these branches, I can’t hide my eggs,” Parrot said.

“Sorry,” Little Gorilla replied.

The sky was getting dark, and Little Gorilla still had no bed. He walked to the next bush. He looked for anyone eating the leaves or hiding inside. No one was there. So, Little Gorilla pulled on one of the branches.

“Oh dear!” someone squeaked.

Little Gorilla bent closer and saw Caterpillar.

“What are you doing, Little Gorilla?” Caterpillar asked.

“I’m trying to make my bed!”

“I would let you have these branches for your bed if only I had a safe place to sleep,” Caterpillar said.

Then Little Gorilla had an idea. He gathered up Caterpillar’s branches and walked to Father Gorilla.

“That’s a thick bunch of branches!” Father Gorilla said.

“They’ll make a cozy bed.”

“Thanks,” said Little Gorilla. “Can Caterpillar sleep over?”

Father Gorilla laughed. “Yes,” he said. “I wouldn’t want to wake him, anyway!”

Caterpillar was already snoring on top of Little Gorilla’s head.

Date: 2015-02-28; view: 1162