The Mongoose's Missing Medal

The Mongoose's Missing Medal - Author : Ebru Mina TOMURCUK

In the green heart of the forest, where sunbeams danced on leaves, lived a small mongoose named Mongo. He had slender brown fur, a lighter cream belly, and bright dark brown eyes that sparkled with curiosity. Around his neck hung a thin blue ribbon loop, and from it swung his most treasured thing in all the world: a shiny round medal that caught the light and sent little flashes dancing across the ferns. 1

Mongo loved that medal more than anything. It had been a gift from his grandmother, and it made him feel brave and special whenever he wore it. Every morning he polished it with a soft leaf until it shone like a tiny mirror. He would turn his head this way and that, watching the sunlight bounce off its bright surface, and his long tapered tail would wiggle with pure happiness. 2

One sunny morning, Mongo set out on a journey through the forest to visit his friends. He trotted past the bubbling river, where cool water splashed over smooth stones. He stopped beneath the great mango tree, where sweet fruit hung like golden lanterns. He pushed through the tall green grass that tickled his pointed snout. It was a wonderful day for an adventure, and Mongo felt light and cheerful. 3

But when Mongo reached the top of the hill to meet his best friend, Hilly the hornbill, he stopped still. His paws flew to his neck. The blue ribbon was there—but the shiny medal was gone! "Oh no, oh no," Mongo whispered, his bright eyes filling with worry. "My medal! Where could it be?" His small rounded ears drooped, and his tail curled sadly around his paws. 4

Hilly swooped down from a branch, her glossy black feathers gleaming and her white belly bright in the sun. Her big yelloworange beak curved into a gentle smile, and her warm amber eyes looked kindly at her friend. "Don't worry, Mongo," she said cheerfully. "We'll find it together. Let's retrace your journey step by step. Where did you go today?" She patted her small green satchel, ready to help. 5

Mongo took a deep breath and thought hard. "I started by the river," he said, "then I went to the mango tree, and then through the tall grass." Hilly nodded and flapped her broad wings. "Then that's our path!" she said. "Come on, let's go back the same way." The two friends set off down the hill, with Hilly flying low beside Mongo and encouraging him with her cheerful chatter. 6

They reached the river first, where the water gurgled and sparkled over smooth stones. Mongo searched along the bank, peering under leaves and between rocks. "I stopped here to drink," he remembered. "I leaned down close to the water." He looked and looked, but the shiny medal was nowhere to be seen. "Maybe it fell in!" Mongo worried, his voice small and sad. "What if it's lost forever?" 7

Hilly flew up and scanned the sparkling water with her sharp amber eyes. "I don't see it in the river," she said gently. "Don't give up yet, Mongo. Let's keep going." She fluttered down beside him and gave his shoulder a soft nudge with her beak. "You're doing great. Remember, we're a team." Mongo nodded, feeling a little braver, and they continued along the winding forest path together. 8

Next they came to the great mango tree, its branches heavy with sweet golden fruit. Mongo circled the trunk, sniffing the roots and peeking into the shadows. "I rested here in the shade," he said. "I jumped up to smell the mangoes." He remembered leaping and twisting in the air, and something had swung loose from his neck. "Oh!" he gasped. "I think I felt my ribbon slip for just a moment. Maybe I was careless!" 9

Mongo's shoulders slumped, and his bright eyes grew misty. "I should have been more careful," he said softly. "I was jumping and playing, and I didn't even notice." Hilly tilted her head and looked at him with kindness. "Being honest about what happened is a brave thing, Mongo," she said. "Everyone makes mistakes. The important part is that we're looking for it now, together. Let's check the tall grass." 10

They walked on until they reached the tall green grass that swayed and whispered in the breeze. It was thick and deep, taller than Mongo's head. "I came through here," Mongo said. "I was running fast, and I heard a little clink sound." He stopped and looked at Hilly. "I remember now. I heard something drop, but I didn't stop to check. I was in such a hurry." He felt ashamed and worried all at once. 11

Just then, they heard a soft, slow voice from the grass. "Hello? Is someone looking for something?" Out crept Tilly the tortoise, her domed green-brown shell patterned like a puzzle. On her back sat a woven straw basket, and inside it, shining bright as a tiny sun, was the medal! "I found this in the grass," said Tilly shyly. "I thought someone lost it, so I waited to give it back." 12

Mongo's eyes went wide and round with joy. "My medal!" he cried. "You found it!" Tilly smiled her gentle smile, her kind crinkly eyes twinkling. "I didn't want anyone to worry," she said. "It's so shiny, I knew it must be special to someone." Mongo thanked her again and again. "I was so worried I'd been careless," he said. "But you were honest and kind to keep it safe.