The Raven and The Raccoon

The raccoon was enjoying his first attempt at flying. When the pair was close to the other side of the water, the raccoon began to wonder about landing.

"How are we going to land, Raven?" "We'll land on the branch of a tree. It will cushion our landing and I won't get squashed."

"But how can we land in a tree?" "We'll worry about that when we come to it." The raven decided it would be best not to warn the raccoon. It would only make things more difficult.

When they landed, it was on the top limb of a tree. The raven opened his friend's eyes with his magical arms, then told him to get off and grab the nearest branch. The raccoon obeyed and he dug his claws into a branch and moved off the raven.

The raccoon began to look around and said, "We certainly came a long way, didn't we? I think my home is very close to here."

"Look at yourself!" the raven exclaimed. "You're hanging onto that tree. See your fingernails and toenails, they're called claws and were made for climbing trees."

"I didn't know that." "Well, that's no excuse. You should never stop learning." "I guess that is true."

"Now, I'll teach you how to climb down. Straighten out your legs and make sure you hang on."

The raccoon obeyed and straightened out his legs. "Can your feet rest on that limb beneath you?"
"Yes."

"Good. Keep your feet on it and move your right hand down to the next branch. Then, move your left foot down to the next