Can I Borrow Your Tail?

Once upon a time, in a lush, green forest, lived a lively little gecko. The little gecko had a beautiful, long tail. Every day, he loved to explore the woods and play games with all the other woodland animals.

One sunny day, while searching for a tasty bug to eat, the little gecko suddenly bumped into a fierce, slithery snake.

CHOMP!

The snake opened its big mouth and bit right down on the little gecko's tail! The little gecko was so scared. He wiggled and squirmed with all his might until—POP!—he broke free. But oh no! His beautiful tail had snapped right off and was left behind.

The little gecko ignored the pinch and scurried home as fast as his sticky little toes could carry him. Safe at home, he looked back at where his tail used to be and felt very sad.

"I look so strange without my tail," he thought. "I know! I will go and borrow one."

First, the little gecko scampered down to the riverbank. There, he saw Miss Fish swimming gracefully in the water.

"Miss Fish," asked the little gecko, "could I please borrow your tail? A snake bit mine off."

Miss Fish shook her head and said gently, "I'm sorry, Little Gecko. I need my tail to swim through the water. I cannot lend it to you."

Disappointed, the little gecko left the river and climbed up a big oak tree. Looking down, he saw Mrs. Cow grazing on the green grass, swishing her tail back and forth.

"Mrs. Cow," called the little gecko, "could I please borrow your tail? A snake bit mine off."

Mrs. Cow shook her big head and mooed, "I'm sorry, Little Gecko. I need my tail to swat away these pesky flies. I cannot lend it to you."

Next, the little gecko scampered up to the roof of a house. He saw Mrs. Swallow swooping and darting through the sky.

"Mrs. Swallow," asked the little gecko, "could I please borrow your tail? A snake bit mine off."

Mrs. Swallow shook her head and chirped, "I'm sorry, Little Gecko. I need my tail to steer when I fly. I cannot lend it to you."

The little gecko searched the whole forest and asked many different animals, but no one could spare their tail. Feeling very sad and discouraged, he dragged his little feet all the way back home.

Mama Gecko saw his gloomy face and asked with concern, "My sweet boy, what is wrong?"

The little gecko told his mama all about the scary snake, how he lost his tail, and how no one would lend him a new one. Mama Gecko listened, and then she smiled a big, warm smile.

"Oh, my silly little one," she said. "Turn around and take a look!"

The little gecko turned around, very confused. To his absolute surprise, a brand-new tail was growing right where the old one used to be! He jumped for joy and shouted, "I grew a new tail! I have a tail again!"

Mama Gecko said gently, "We geckos are very special. Our tails can grow right back. If you ever face danger again, it is okay if your tail breaks off. A new one will always take its place."

From that day on, the little gecko was never sad about losing his tail again. He went right back to happily exploring the forest, playing with his friends, and living a wonderful life.