Mother Earth and a different Kind of Friend

Mother Earth had lovingly cared for Adder, the two-headed snake, for many years. His condition was rare among snakes, and she felt it was her duty to watch over him for his own safety-and for the safety of others. Lately, however, Earth had been so busy that she hadn't noticed something troubling. The children who usually plaited her long grass into braids, built soft banks for her hair, and cartwheeled joyfully across her ground were no longer there. The boys and girls who once played and swung from tree to tree had not appeared for some time. This absence made Earth sad. She knew she urgently needed to act, and turned to her friend Wind for help. Together they would have to find a way to protect Adder, the other animals, and the children. But Earth also knew that finding the right solution would be easier said than done. She worried about Adder. At noon, when the sun was scorching, he usually rested, but lately he seemed distracted and caught up in his own wild imagination. He no longer listened to her as he once had. She decided to call on Breeze, Wind's gentle cousin, for extra support. This story shows how differences-even unusual ones-can be significant, but with understanding, the right attitude, and support, everyone involved can remain safe and happy.