Pip’s Perfect Plan: A Story About Gentle Leadership
In a snug burrow beneath a giant oak tree lived a family of playful bunnies. There were five fluffy bundles of joy: Pip, the oldest sibling, known for her calm voice and fluffy white fur; Poppy, the fashionista with a bright pink nose and red cheeks; Bounce, the grey energetic one who always hopped everywhere; Flop, the shyest bunny who loved to snuggle; and Patch, the littlest one with a single brown spot on his ear.
One sunny morning, Mama Bunny announced, ‘‘We’re all out of carrots!’’ The bunnies gasped. Carrots were their favorite food! Pip, with a reassuring smile, hopped forward. ‘‘Don’t worry, Mama,’’ she declared. ‘‘We can bring some. I know just the place to find them!’’
Excitedly, the other bunnies followed their sister out of the burrow. They hopped through the tall grass, over a babbling brook, and deeper and deeper into a shady wood. It wasn’t a place they usually went to, but trust in Pip filled their little hearts.
Suddenly, Bounce, always full of enthusiasm, tripped on a root and tumbled into a prickly bush. ‘‘Ouch!’’ he cried, tears welling up in his eyes.
Poppy rushed to his side, gently pulling him free. ‘‘Are you okay, Bounce?’’ she asked worriedly. Bounce sniffled. ‘‘I don’t like this forest. It’s too dark and prickly.’’
Flop, usually quiet, spoke up in his soft voice. ‘‘Maybe we should head back and ask Mama Bunny for help.’’
Pip stopped and looked at her siblings. She understood their concerns but also knew they needed some motivation. ‘‘Well, the forest might be a bit
unfamiliar,’’ Pip admitted, ‘‘but Mama Bunny is busy, and she needs our help; we cannot disappoint her. We must not lose hope. We need to get those carrots. Let’s do it for Mama Bunny!’’
She looked at Bounce, her voice kind. ‘‘How about we take things a little slower? We can hop together and watch out for each other.’’
Bounce looked at his siblings, their worried faces calming down. He knew Pip always had a plan. He nodded, wiping away his tears.
Together, they continued their journey. Pip walked in front, carefully scanning the path for any hidden dangers. Whenever the forest seemed extra dark, Pip would tell funny stories about Mama Bunny’s fluffy tail or make funny bunny faces, making everyone giggle. Even Flop, who usually preferred staying close to the burrow, found himself enjoying the adventure.
As they continued, they found themselves in front of a stream, stretching left and right as far as the eye could see. ‘‘Oh no!’’ cried Patch, tears welling up in his big brown eyes. ‘‘We can’t get over it!’’
The others also had grim expressions on their faces, full of doubt and concern.
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Think about how Pip helped and motivated her siblings. Was it just about giving orders, or was it about something else? What do you think makes
a good leader? (This question helps readers understand the qualities of a good leader, such as being kind, patient, and using everyone’s strengths, and helps them to understand the value of a leader.)