Little did they know that the jerboa had been following them the whole time. It kept trying
to pluck up its courage to thank them. As Snowy and Sparkle explored around the side of the
sand dune which was curved in, the jerboa lingered around the other side, unsure what to do. He
sighed heavily, which made Sparkle’s ears prick up. There was something else nearby, something
small and mousey—the jerboa! Quicker than you could say “Sparkle”, Sparkle raced to the source
of sound, skidding to a stop and glaring down at the jerboa threateningly. Snowy brought up the
rear, panting.
“And what do you think you’re doing, tiny mouse?” Sparkle yelped bullyingly. “Trying to spy
on us?”
The jerboa couldn’t answer. It was too close to crying. The back of his throat burned and he
felt tears slowly spring up behind his eyes. He gulped as he fought to keep them back.
“Are you the same midget whom we wasted two minutes of our lives talking to?” Sparkle
screeched. She glanced at Snowy meaningfully, as though expecting her to laugh at her insult.
Snowy didn’t though. She was speechless. As she gazed at the jerboa, he returned her gaze
pleadingly. The hard shell of her inside-very-loving heart cracked open. Snowy felt it. Suddenly,
her brain could release the dams that kept out the positive thoughts, and she began thinking very
kindly. She also suddenly felt wide awake, as if she had woken from a trance. She glanced from
the jerboa to Sparkle, then thought of all the unkind things that Sparkle had sneered about. Then
a small, quiet voice at the back of her head piped up, the jerboa isn’t bad. Just shy.
She made a decision quickly and disagreed, “Actually Sparkle, I think you’re wrong. The
jerboa isn’t as bad as you think and I think the jerboa can be very useful in many situations, even
though he’s small. Maybe, erm,” she hesitated uncertainly and plunged on, “Maybe you should
give him another chance?”
The jerboa held his breath. Would Sparkle agree?
Sparkle looked at the sandy ground. To stall for time, she pretended to dust sand off her paws.
She thought hard. If even Snowy was saying that this jerboa was good, maybe……
Snowy spoke softly, lightly and encouragingly. “Sparkle, I’m sticking up for him because I
think that that is the right thing to do. Will you choose to do the same too?”
Sparkle sniffed. She looked up to find the jerboa gazing at her beseechingly. The corners of
her heart melted. Then she understood. The jerboa had a loving heart. He had come to try and
thank them. He was trying to be friendly. She nodded. She managed to sob, “Sorry.” to the jerboa,
who smiled and hugged her paw.
From then on, Sparkle was kind and considerate, and she never criticized anyone ever again.”
Eliza closed the book and turned to Annette, who was looking confused.
“What’s the moral, Mommy?” She asked.
Eliza replied, “The moral is to appreciate people for who they are, sweetheart. Now,
goodnight.”
Eliza left Annette’s room feeling like she had learned something too.
Always be kind.
