In the sunny, green pasture of Four Corners lived three good friends: Pig, Cow, and Sheep. Pig loved rolling in the mud, Cow enjoyed her peaceful days grazing, and Sheep was happiest when her wool was freshly sheared and she felt light and breezy.
One sunny morning, a new animal arrived at Four Corners. It was a tall, elegant Crane with long legs and a graceful neck. Crane looked a little different from Pig, Cow, and Sheep. His feathers were a stark white, unlike Sheep's fluffy wool, Cow's brown hide, or Pig's pink skin.
When Crane first walked into the pasture, Pig snorted, "Look at those skinny legs! He walks so funny." Cow stared and whispered to Sheep, "His voice sounds so high and thin, not like our usual 'moos' and 'baas'." Sheep giggled a little, pointing out, "And he doesn't even have any wool! He looks quite bare."
Crane overheard their whispers and his long neck drooped a little. He found a quiet spot by the pond, away from the others.
Later that day, a fierce thunderstorm rolled into Four Corners. The wind howled, and the rain poured down in sheets. Pig, who usually loved puddles, found his muddy spot quickly turning into a rushing stream. He started to panic, unable to keep his footing. "Help! Help!" he squealed.
Cow, who usually stood calmly in the rain, found the strong winds pushing her off balance. The ground was becoming slippery, and she worried about falling. "Oh dear," she mooed, feeling helpless.
Sheep, whose thick wool usually kept her warm, was now soaked and heavy. The wind tugged at her fleece, making it hard to move. "Baa-humbug!" she cried, feeling cold and scared.
Suddenly, Crane, who was sheltered near the tall reeds by the pond, saw their distress. Without hesitation, he used his long legs to wade through the rising water towards Pig. He carefully nudged Pig towards a patch of higher ground with his long beak.
Then, seeing Cow struggling against the wind, Crane stretched out one of his long wings, offering her something to lean against. Cow gratefully pressed against his sturdy wing, finding a bit more stability.
Finally, Crane noticed Sheep shivering and struggling in the heavy, wet wool. He gently guided her towards a more sheltered spot under a thick bush, using his body to block some of the wind and rain.
Once the storm had passed and the sun began to peek through the clouds, Pig, Cow, and Sheep gathered around Crane, feeling sheepish themselves.
Pig mumbled, "Crane, thank you for helping me. I was really scared."
Cow added, "Yes, thank you. Your wing was so strong."
Sheep, shaking her damp wool, said softly, "We weren't very kind to you when you first arrived. We made fun of how you looked and sounded."
Crane looked at them with his bright eyes. "It's alright," he said gently. "We are all different, but that doesn't mean we can't help each other. Your roundness might help you roll down a hill quickly, Cow's strong body can help push things, and Sheep's wool keeps her warm in the winter. My long legs help me in the water, and my wings can offer shelter."
Pig, Cow, and Sheep realized that Crane was right. Just because he looked and sounded different didn't mean he wasn't kind and helpful. In fact, his unique abilities had saved them during the storm.
From that day on, Pig, Cow, and Sheep made a special effort to be polite and considerate to Crane, and to all the other animals in Four Corners, no matter how different they were. They learned that respect for others means treating everyone with kindness and consideration, understanding that their differences are what make the world interesting and help them in unexpected ways. They became the best of friends, always ready to appreciate each other for who they were, inside and out.
Summary
Respect Others: Treat everyone with politeness and consideration, regardless of how they are different from you.
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