Paula the Panda and the Mysterious Waterfall: A Story About Comfort Zones
Paula the panda loved routine. Every morning, she’d wake up at precisely 7 A.M., munch on exactly twelve bamboo shoots, and spend the rest of the day napping in her favorite spot under the bamboo tree.
One sunny afternoon, as Paula dozed off, a tiny blue jay landed on her nose. ‘‘Paula! Paula!’’ chirped the jay, its voice filled with excitement.
Paula swatted the jay away, grumbling, ‘‘Don’t wake me up! My nap time isn’t finished yet!’’
The jay fluttered in front of her again. ‘‘But Paula,’’ it pleaded, ‘‘I found the most amazing place! A hidden waterfall with sparkling water and the juiciest berries you’ve ever seen!’’
Paula yawned. ‘‘Sounds messy,’’ she mumbled. ‘‘And waterfalls are loud. I prefer a peaceful nap.’’
The jay sighed. ‘‘But Paula, don’t you ever get curious? Don’t you want to see something new?’’
Paula had to admit that a tiny spark of curiosity flickered inside her. But leaving her comfortable routine felt scary. ‘‘Maybe tomorrow,’’ she mumbled, rolling over.
The next day, the jay returned, even more excited. This time, it talked about a secret cave filled with glowing mushrooms and friendly bats. Paula listened, tempted, but her fear of the unknown held her back. She stuck to her routine – naps, bamboo, naps. Days turned into weeks, and Jay kept coming back with tales of magical places Paula hadn’t even dreamed of. A meadow filled with singing flowers, a crystal-clear lake with playful otters,
and a forest teeming with dancing butterflies.
One day, the jay landed on Paula’s nose again. But this time, its voice was sad. ‘‘Paula,’’ it chirped, ‘‘I won’t bother you anymore. Seems like you’re happy with your routine.’’
But at that moment, Paula felt a pang of something new – regret.
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Can you remember a time you were offered a chance to try something new, like tasting lemons, petting an animal, taking a swim, or flying by
airplane? Did you feel scared or excited? What did you end up doing? (This question encourages readers to reflect on their own experiences trying
something for the first time and see how they might relate to Paula’s story.)