“I’d like to learn,” said the bear.
“But I don’t think you fit in,” said the rabbit.
“This school only takes in rabbits, and a bear such as yourself will only cause a menace and will frighten the other rabbits.”
“But I want to learn,” said the bear named Gonga.
Mrs. Smith sighed. “I don’t know how I’d teach you.”
Gonga was sad. He was already lost, away from his family.
Mrs. Smith looked at him for a long moment. His fur was a little messy, his eyes round and full of hope, not menace. She tapped her paw on the desk.
“It’s not that I think you can’t learn,” she said gently. “It’s just… I’ve never taught a bear before.”
“I can be careful,” Gonga whispered. “I can sit at the back and use a tiny pencil. I won’t roar or stomp. I promise.”
Outside, the wind stirred the golden autumn leaves. Mrs. Smith thought hard. She’d never had such a request before.
“Hmm,” she murmured. “Tomorrow is Story Day. Each student tells a story they’ve learned by heart. If you can share a story without scaring anyone, maybe… we can give it a try.”
That night, Gonga lay curled up under a tree near the school. The grass was cool, and the stars winked above. He missed his family in the forest. He thought of the tales his mama used to talk about falling stars, clever foxes, and brave bears.
The next morning, Gonga padded into the classroom. The rabbits froze, their whiskers twitching nervously. Mrs. Smith cleared her throat. “Class, remember, Gonga is here for Story Day.”
One by one, the rabbits told their stories, funny tales about carrots and burrows, adventures in the meadow. Then it was Gonga’s turn. He stepped forward slowly and sat cross-legged, tucking in his big paws so they wouldn’t seem frightening.
“This is a story my mama told me, “He began, his voice soft and warm. “Once, there was a little star who fell from the sky. She was scared, for she had never been away from the moon. She landed in a river, and the fish said, ‘We’ve never seen someone like you, but you can stay if you share your light.’ So, the star shone for them, and in return, they sang her songs so she would never feel lonely.”
The rabbits leaned forward, listening intently.
“And so,” Gonga finished, “the star stayed in the river, no longer afraid, because she had found friends who didn’t care that she was different.”
Silence. Then, clap clap, clap, tiny paws applauded.
Mrs. Smith’s whiskers twitched into a smile. “Well, class, what do you think?”
“He can stay!” the rabbits chorused.
And from that day on, Gonga learned alongside the rabbits, writing, reading, and telling more stories that wrapped everyone in warmth. Just like the little star, he had found his place.