​On a cold, bright shore surrounded by icy mountains and the vast, blue sea, lived a lively seabird named Percy the Puffin. Percy had a bright orange beak, black and white feathers like a tuxedo, and orange webbed feet. He loved to dive into the chilly water to catch fish, but his favorite thing was collecting the roundest, shiniest pebbles for his nest.
​One day, Percy found the most perfect pebble he had ever seen. It was smooth, dark gray, and sparkled with tiny bits of silver. He carefully placed it right at the entrance of his nest on a patch of clean snow.
​But when he returned from fishing, his perfect pebble was gone!
​Percy felt a wave of worry. He looked everywhere: under the snowy edges, near the icy patches, and even under his own orange feet. The pebble was nowhere to be found.
​He asked his neighbor, a grumpy old seal. “Did you see my pebble?”
​The seal just grunted. “No, I was sleeping.”
​Percy was about to give up when he noticed a tiny trail of little footprints leading away from his nest. They were too small to be the seal’s.
​Percy followed the tiny tracks past the spruce tree decorated with snow. The tracks led him up a small slope toward the snow-capped mountains. He hopped, slipped, and waddled until he reached a small, hidden cave.
​Peeking inside, he saw a little arctic fox, curled up and shivering. And right under the fox’s nose, was Percy’s shiny gray pebble!
​Percy didn’t feel angry. He saw that the fox was using the pebble like a tiny, smooth pillow.
​”Hello,” Percy called out gently. “Did you find my pebble?”
​The little fox woke up and looked scared. “Oh, no! I didn’t mean to steal it,” the fox whimpered. “I was so cold, and the smooth stone felt warm when I put my nose on it. I’m lost and I miss my family.”
​Percy’s heart softened. He knew his pebble was special, but the little fox needed comfort more than he needed a perfect decoration.
​”Keep it,” said Percy, smiling with his bright beak. “It’s a gift. But you don’t have to be lost. Follow me, and I will help you find your way back to your den.”
​The little fox was amazed. With the perfect pebble safely tucked under his chin, he followed Percy all the way back down the mountain. Percy’s excellent vision helped him spot the fox’s family den in a cluster of rocks.
​Percy watched the happy reunion. He returned to his nest, which was now missing the perfect pebble. But a warmth spread through his chest—a feeling much better than any shiny stone. Percy the Puffin learned that the greatest treasure you can find is the opportunity to be kind.