​In a winding river surrounded by tall trees and quiet mountains, lived a very unique creature named Perry the Platypus. Perry was a strange and wonderful mix of animals: he had a smooth, brown body like an otter, webbed feet like a duck, and a wide, flat bill perfect for digging for tasty river snacks.
​Perry loved the river. He was a great swimmer and a fantastic diver.
​But Perry had a secret: he was a little bit embarrassed about his different parts. He thought having so many different features made him look silly.
​”I wish I were just a regular river creature,” he would sigh, tucking his bill under a leaf. “My feet are too big, my bill is too flat, and nobody else looks like me.”
​One afternoon, a busy family of river mice were trying to cross the river to get to a patch of juicy worms. Their only way across was a wobbly, old log that was half-sunk in the water. The mice were too light, and every time they stepped on the log, it spun, making them scared to cross.
​”We’ll never make it!” squeaked the smallest mouse.
​Perry watched them from the riverbank. He knew he was the only one who could help.
​He took a deep breath and swam to the wobbly log. He carefully climbed onto it and stood right in the center. Because his body was heavy and flat, and his webbed feet gripped the sides, he made the wobbly log perfectly stable!
​”Quickly, friends!” called Perry. “I’ll be your bridge!”
​The mice, realizing the log was now steady, quickly scurried across Perry’s back and made it safely to the other side.
​”Thank you, Perry!” cheered the mother mouse. “Your flat bill helped you balance, and your heavy body kept the log still! You are the best bridge in the whole river!”
​Perry smiled, a warmth spreading through his body. He looked down at his wide bill and his webbed feet. He realized that the very things he was embarrassed about—being a mix of different parts—were the things that made him special and allowed him to help his friends.
​From that day on, Perry stopped wishing he was a “regular” river creature. He was proud to be Perry the Platypus, the unique hero who could stabilize any wobbly bridge.