The sun peeked over the hills as Mollie the border collie trotted through the barnyard, her tail wagging in time with the birdsong. She loved mornings—there was always something new to sniff, someone new to help.
Today, she noticed Penny the piglet sitting alone by the hay bales. Her ears drooped and her curly tail wasn’t wagging at all.
“Are you okay?” Mollie asked, nuzzling Penny gently.
Penny shook her head. “Rufus the rooster said my laugh was too loud. Now no one wants to play with me.”
Mollie’s ears perked up. That wasn’t right. Penny’s giggle was the sunshine of the barnyard!
Mollie trotted off to find Rufus, who was puffing his chest and marching around the yard. “Rufus,” she said, her voice firm but kind. “You hurt Penny’s feelings. Her laugh makes us all happy. Please say you’re sorry.”
Rufus blinked. “I didn’t mean to hurt her…”
“Then let’s make it right,” Mollie said.
Together, they found Penny and Rufus apologized. Penny’s ears lifted and a smile spread across her snout. She giggled—just a little—and soon the whole barnyard was laughing with her.
Later that evening, Mollie curled up under the stars. She had always been quiet, happy to help in small ways. But today she’d found her bark.
And it felt good.
Moral: Speaking up kindly for others is one of the bravest things you can do.