The Worry Wombat and the Big News

Wally the Wombat was a very good digger, but he also had a very big worry-wart heart. He worried about everything, from whether the sun would shine to if his favorite berry bush would grow new berries. Wally had a best friend, a cheerful kookaburra named Kiki. Kiki was always giggling and singing, and she helped Wally feel a little less worried. One sunny morning, Kiki hopped down to Wally’s burrow with a sparkle in her eye. "Wally, Wally!" she chirped, "I have the most wonderful news! I'm going to build a nest with Kevin the Koala! We’re going to live together in the big eucalyptus tree!" Wally's whiskers drooped. This was big news, and big news usually meant big worries for him. He worried if they would have enough leaves for their nest, whether they would argue about who gets to sit on the best branch, and most of all, he worried if Kiki would still want to play with him. He suddenly felt all sorts of wobbly feelings he thought he'd left behind. He tried to be happy for Kiki, but his tummy felt like it had butterflies. Seeing his long face, Kiki perched beside him. "Wally," she said softly, "Building a nest is going to be an exciting adventure! But that won’t change our friendship! We can still dig in the mud and look for yummy grubs together! You’re my best friend!” Wally looked up, his worries starting to melt away like snow in the sun. He smiled, and the butterflies in his tummy began to flutter happily. He realised that even though things change, good friendships stay the same. So, Wally decided instead of worrying he would help Kiki and Kevin find the best branches for their new nest. From that day on, Wally still worried sometimes, but he also learned that friends are always there to help make the worries a little easier to handle.