As the season changed, the forest was covered in beautiful colors like amber, orange, and brown. Little Red the fox was very happy because it was now easier to hide among the leaves and bushes. Only in the open meadow could Hazel the dormouse spot Little Red. They loved playing hide and seek together, jumping and rolling in the crunchy leaves. Hazel laughed and said, “The leaves are laughing with us!”
Even though they were having fun, the cold air reminded Little Red that winter was coming. Little Red felt a bit sad because winter meant Hazel would go to sleep for a long time. Little Red said, “Hazel, maybe this time you won’t sleep as much?” Hazel replied, “I wish I could stay awake, but I have to sleep because I’m a dormouse.”
Little Red thought of ways to keep Hazel awake. “What if I could make the sun stay up longer? Or ask the forest to keep its fruit? Maybe I could tickle Hazel to keep her awake?” But Hazel started to yawn. Little Red said, “I want us to stay together forever.” Hazel promised, “When spring comes, I’ll be here, and we can play again.”
Before Hazel went to sleep, Little Red asked, “Can I tell you a story?” Hazel said, “Yes, but make it short,” and soon they both fell asleep together.
Leaves might look simple, but they do many things! They have something called chlorophyll that helps them use sunlight, water, and air to make food for the plant. In autumn, when the days get shorter, the green color goes away, and bright colors appear. As leaves fall, some birds fly to warmer places, and animals like hedgehogs curl up to sleep.
Wet leaves become homes for frogs, insects, and snails. Chipmunks and squirrels gather seeds and nuts to store for winter. Mushrooms grow on the forest floor, and deer eat them, even the ones that are not safe for people. Leaves make cozy homes for animals like bears, skunks, and frogs to sleep through the winter. Leaves are amazing!
Imagine standing in a forest with two paths in front of you. You can only choose one. You look at both paths and decide to take the one that looks less traveled. This choice makes a big difference in your journey. It’s like making choices in life; sometimes, taking a different path can lead to new adventures.
If you love stories, there are many books waiting for you! They are safe and full of fun adventures. You can read them anywhere, like in a car or on a plane. Ask your guardian to help you find some books, and you’ll be glad you did. Thanks for reading, and for more stories, try the Vox app for free today!
Leaf Color Hunt: Go on a nature walk with a family member or friend and collect different colored leaves. Try to find as many colors as you can, like red, yellow, orange, and brown. Once you have your collection, arrange them in a rainbow pattern. Discuss why leaves change colors in the fall and what happens to them when they fall to the ground.
Animal Winter Prep: Pretend you are an animal getting ready for winter. Choose an animal from the story, like a dormouse or a squirrel. Think about what you would need to do to prepare for the cold months. Draw a picture of your animal and the things it needs, like nuts for a squirrel or a cozy nest for a dormouse. Share your drawing with someone and explain how your animal gets ready for winter.
Story Path Adventure: Create your own story path at home. Use two different colored strings or ribbons to make two paths on the floor. At the end of each path, place a picture or object that represents a different adventure or story ending. Walk along each path and imagine what kind of story would happen if you chose that path. Share your story with a family member and ask them which path they would choose and why.
Here’s a sanitized version of the provided YouTube transcript:
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[Music] Before we sleep [Music] As the season turned, the forest was dressed in new colors of rich amber, burnt orange, and chestnut brown. [Music] Little Red the fox was happy because now it would be much easier to hide. [Music] A fox would be hard to spy among the dried brown leaves, burgundy bushes, and coppery grasses. [Music] Only in the open meadow would Hazel the dormouse be able to catch sight of Little Red. [Music] Little Red and Hazel spent hours playing hide and seek together. [Music] The two friends loved jumping and rolling in the crisp dried leaves. [Music] They loved the rustling sound. “The leaves are laughing with us,” said Hazel joyfully. [Music] During these moments of happiness, the cold air hinted at the coming winter. [Music] Little Red felt a tinge of sadness because, for Red, the smell of winter meant one thing: loneliness. Soon, Little Red’s very best friend in the world would settle down in a warm burrow to hibernate. [Music]
“Hazel, perhaps this season you will sleep less,” said Little Red hopefully, trying to sound cheerful. “Little Red, I am no fox; I am a dormouse. I’d like to stay awake and keep you company, but you know in the end, I must always sleep.” [Music] So Little Red started to think of ways to keep Hazel from falling asleep. What if I could make the sun stay high? Then winter would not be so cold. Hmm, what if I could ask the forest to hold its fruit? Then there would be food all winter long. What if I tickled Hazel to stay awake? Then we could play and play. The dormouse started to yawn. [Music] “Hazel, I want us to stay together forever,” pleaded the friend. [Music] “Little Red, I promise when the winter gives way to spring, I will be here for you, and we will play again.” [Music] “I know, Hazel, but before you sleep, may I tell you a story?” “Why, yes, as long as it is short,” replied Hazel sleepily, with head nodding and eyes closing. [Music] So Little Red curled up on the forest floor, and Hazel nestled into the soft, warm tail to listen. But before a word of the story was spoken, the two friends had fallen fast asleep together. [Music]
[Music] Leaves: An Autumn Pop-Up Book [Music] A leaf seems simple, but leaves do many things. A leaf contains green chlorophyll that helps it use sunlight, water, and air to make food for the plant. As days shorten, autumn’s brilliance flutters down. [Music] With less daylight, chlorophyll disappears from leaves, and bright colors show. [Music] As leaves drop, some birds migrate to warmer places. [Music] Hungry critters hide under the layers. The hedgehog curls up in a prickly ball to sleep, its spine sticking out for protection. [Music] Wet matted leaves are homes for frogs, insects, snails, and slugs. Leaves rustle as animals hustle for food. [Music] Chipmunks scurry among leaves and stuff their chubby cheeks with seeds. [Music] Squirrels bury acorns and nuts under leaves to store for winter feeding. [Music] Mushrooms pop up on the forest floor. [Music] Mushrooms often grow in damp, leaf-covered locations. [Music] Deer eat mushrooms, including some kinds that are poisonous to humans. [Music] Leaf-lined burrows are cozy for dozing in autumn. Some animals, such as bears, skunks, chipmunks, mice, frogs, and snakes, prepare for deep winter sleep. [Music] Leaves change. [Music] They are so amazing. [Music]
[Music] The Road Not Taken [Music] Two roads diverged in a yellow wood, and sorry I could not travel both and be one traveler. [Music] Long I stood and looked down one as far as I could to where it bent in the undergrowth. Then took the other as just as fair, and having perhaps the better claim because it was grassy and wanted wear. [Music] Though as for that, the passing there had worn them really about the same. [Music] And both that morning equally lay in leaves no step had trodden black. [Music] Oh, I kept the first for another day. [Applause] Yet knowing how way leads on to way, I doubted if I should ever come back. I shall be telling this with a sigh. [Music] Somewhere ages and ages hence, two roads diverged in a wood, and I took the one less traveled by, and that has made all the difference. [Music]
If you don’t have books, then what are you waiting for? Look, it’s kid-safe; it has storybooks that are brought to life, and it’s fun! I like to read books about fantasy and love. I tell other kids to get books because they’re full of stories and laughter. I’ll read it on the go, in a car, and a plane, even on a train. I’ve never been on a train. Don’t wait around; ask your guardian to download books now. You’ll be glad you did! Thanks for watching. For more stories, try the Vox app for free today.
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This version removes any inappropriate or unclear content while maintaining the essence of the original transcript.
