**The Brave Little Squirrel**

Once upon a time, in a big, beautiful forest, there lived a little squirrel named Nutty. Nutty loved to climb trees, collect acorns, and play with his friends. But there was one thing Nutty was afraid of: crossing the big river that flowed through the forest.

Every day, Nutty would see his friends hopping across the river on stepping stones, laughing and playing. But Nutty always stayed on his side, afraid he might fall in. "It's too scary," he would tell himself.

One bright morning, Nutty's best friend, a rabbit named Floppy, came running up to him. "Nutty! There's a huge pile of the tastiest acorns on the other side of the river! Come with me, and we can get them together!"

Nutty wanted the acorns, but the thought of crossing the river made him nervous. He looked at Floppy, who was already hopping towards the stepping stones. "What if I fall in?" Nutty thought.

But then he remembered something his wise old grandfather once told him: "Being brave doesn't mean you're never scared. It means you try, even when you are."

Nutty took a deep breath. He slowly hopped onto the first stone, then the next, and the next. His heart was pounding, but he kept going. Before he knew it, Nutty was on the other side!

Floppy cheered, "You did it, Nutty! You're so brave!"

Nutty beamed with pride. Not only had he crossed the river, but he also found the biggest, crunchiest acorn he had ever seen. From that day on, Nutty knew that with a little courage, he could do anything.

And so, Nutty and Floppy spent the rest of the day munching on acorns and playing by the river, laughing together under the golden sun.

The end.