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At the snowy mountain meadow, Old Tree towers beside frost-dusted grass on an overcast afternoon. Little Rabbit stands near his roots, Little Cat scampering around, while Little Bird chirps from a branch; swirling winter wind kicks up loose snow.
By the mountains stood Grandfather Tree, tall and kindly. Little Rabbit was white as snow. Little Cat, a playful mutt, scampered. Little Bird, a brown sparrow, chirped. “Careful, little ones,” he chuckled. Then winter winds swirled.
Under a moonlit, snow-covered clearing, Old Tree bends low, extended branches cradling Little Rabbit, Little Cat, and Little Bird. Crackling fallen leaves drape over them like blankets while the trio huddles close to his trunk for warmth.
“Grandfather Tree, we’re freezing!” squeaked Little Rabbit. “Climb close,” murmured the Tree, lowering gentle branches. He shed crackling leaves, tucking blankets around them. Little Cat purred; Little Bird nestled. “Rest now,” he whispered.
Inside a leaf-lined nook beneath Old Tree’s drooping branches, Little Cat rests a paw on the trunk while Little Bird sings from a twig above. Pale winter daylight filters through snowflakes as Old Tree’s carved face appears weary yet peaceful.
Days snowed into weeks. The friends snuggled under leaves and low branches. “We’ll keep you company,” mewed Little Cat. “And sing,” chirped Little Bird. Grandfather Tree, gray and tired, sighed, “Your songs are sunshine.”
On a sunlit spring meadow, Little Rabbit pats fresh soil around Old Tree’s roots while Little Cat sprinkles water from a wooden ladle. Tender green leaves unfurl overhead, catching warm morning light against a clear blue sky.
At last, spring warmed the field. “Let’s help him,” whispered Little Rabbit. They patted soil and shared water, brushing his bark gently. “Thank you, little ones,” murmured the Tree. New leaves unfurled, bright as hope.