It was a quiet, peaceful morning in the forest. The birds start to chirp as a ray of sunlight begins to pierce the curtains, filling the room with light. The young fox, who was still fast asleep in his bed, began to stir at the sound of his door opening. “Chris dear, it’s time to wake up.” said his mother as she drew back the curtains to let the sunlight completely illuminate the room. “Come on sleepyhead, you’re going to be late for your first day of school.” Chris sat up and sleepily rubbed his eyes before being picked up and carried to the dining room where his father was busy cooking breakfast. “Good morning pup, are you excited for your first day of school?” asked the older fox as he skillfully tosses a pancake into the air onto a plate sitting on the table. Chris was set down at the table and looked toward his father. “I don’t want to go to school. Why can’t I stay home with you?” Chris replied. His mother sat down beside him and pulled him into a tight embrace. “Because we know you’ll have fun in school and make some friends to play with. Besides, your father and I aren’t going to be home either. We both have jobs that we must do.” She sets him down again and places the pancake in front of him. “Give it a try pup. It’s not as bad as you think.” His father reassured him, pouring some berry juice into a small cup and placing it beside the young fox’s plate. Chris was still scared at the thought of being away from his loving parents but their warm smiles gave Chris a little more courage. Chris began to eat his breakfast and tried his best to ignore the butterflies fluttering in his tummy.

After eating his breakfast Chris and his parents waited at the edge of their yard for the bus that would carry the young fox to school. Chris was starting to believe that they had missed the bus, but then he heard the low rumble of the motor heading toward the house. His parents pulled him close and hugged their son tightly. “Be good and try to make some friends, okay?” his mother asked, breaking off the hug as the bus stops before them. “But what if I don’t like it there?” the young fox whined as the doors of the bus opened. “You’ll like it there pup. Now get going, you wouldn’t want to make everyone late for their first day of school.” His father nudged him onto the bus and took a step back as the doors swished shut. Chris meekly waved goodbye and began to walk through the bus to find an empty seat. Chris was scared but he was also curious about the other kids on the bus. He hadn’t seen animals like them before. There was a brown bear eating an apple, a beaver drawing on a sketch pad, a badger talking to a skunk that was sitting next to her, a turtle who was reading a book with an otter reading over his shoulder, and a rabbit who was writing in a notebook. He was interested in meeting them but instead shyly passed them by, retiring to a seat in the back of the bus. As he sat down the bus began to pull away from the house and began its trip to the school. Chris looked through the back window and watched his parents disappear in the distance. With tears starting to run down his muzzle he turned back around and quietly began to cry. A tap on the shoulder caused the fox to raise his tear stained face to see another fox holding out a small cloth. “Come on don’t be sad, you’ll see them later today after school.” Chris accepted the cloth and wiped away his tears. “My names Rey, what’s yours?” the young red fox asked with a kind smile. “I’m Chris.” he replied as he hands back the cloth, moistened with his tears.

The two of them talked for a while, until the bus came to a stop. The bus driver opened the door and called for the kids to exit the bus. Everyone got up and scampered off the bus and up to a small building made of bricks. They all lined up by the door anxiously waiting for it to open. The rabbit was about to knock but the door opened and waiting on the other side was a large stag that looked them over with an inviting smile on his face. “Welcome children, I’m Mr.Hersh. I’ll be your teacher for the school year, and I believe we’re going to have a lot of fun getting to know each other.” Mr.Hersh opened the door wide and motioned them to their seats. He then wrote his name on the large blackboard at the front of the classroom. “I would like you all to come up and write your names on the board just like I have.” He said as he handed the piece of chalk to the rabbit. One by one they all wrote their names, until it was Chris’ turn. He hadn’t learned how to read, let alone write his name. “Do you want some help young one?” The buck asked as help picked up his chart to find out the young vulpine’s name. Chris could only nod in embarrassment at being the only one in class who couldn’t write his name. Mr.Hersh underlined Chris’ name and turned the chart around to show him. “This is your name. Please copy it on to the board.” Chris looked at the chart and slowly wrote out his name. “Very good Chris, you’re already catching up to the rest of the class. Continue to improve this quickly and you’ll be caught up in no time. You may go back to your seat now.” Mr.Hersh said, praising Chris for writing his name so neatly.

 For the next hour he had the children stand in front of the class to say hello and explain a little bit about them. Once it was Chris’ turn, he stood up and quietly began to speak. “H...hi, my name is Chris and I’m a white fox.” Mr.Hersh chuckled a bit before interrupting him. “You’ll need to speak up Chris; I don’t think they can hear you in the back.” Chris swallows hard and musters up the courage to continue. “My name is Chris and I’m a white fox. My fur is white because my mom’s an artic fox, but I’m actually a red fox like my dad.” The class greets Chris as Mr.Hersh gestures for him to return to his table. “Very good class, we’re off to a good start. Now it’s time to start learning. I’m sure you have all noticed the bookshelves and chests around the classroom. You may each go read any of the books, and after you’re done you can play with the toys in the chests. If you’re having trouble reading the books you can come see me and I’ll help you. As everyone else grabs a book from the shelf, Chris shuffles shyly over to the large stag’s desk. “Mr.Hersh, I don’t know how to read.” Mr.Hersh picks up a book from his desk and hands it to Chris. “I thought as much when you couldn’t spell your name. This book will help you learn the alphabet. Once you can write your ABC’s you can play with the others, okay? Zorra, would you like to join Chris?” The young skunk padded over and sat next to Chris. Chris shyly smiled to Zorra before opening the book and noticing the pages were thicker than the other books. He ran his hand over the page and felt something in the middle of it. He cautiously squeezed the small lump and suddenly the book spoke in a clear voice, reading the words on the page for them. Chris was so amazed with the book that he lost track of time and before he knew it he was at the end book. He closed the book just as their teacher approached them with two pieces of chalk. “Are you two ready to write your ABC’s?” They both nodded happily and approached the blackboard. The board was divided down the middle, giving both of them plenty of room to write beside each other. 

Once they were finished Mr.Hersh applauded their achievement. “Bravo, good work both of you. I would say go play with the toys, but unfortunately it’s time for everyone to head outside for recess. You’ll just have to wait until later.” They both let out a doleful sigh and walked outside to see every one playing a game of soccer. They trotted over and were greeted by a wolf in a black and white striped shirt with a whistle around his neck. “Hello you two, I’m coach Faolan. Would you two like to join in on the soccer game?” Chris nodded his head with glee but Zorra was less enthusiastic. “I don’t know how to play soccer.” The skunk said. “Don’t worry, you’re not the only one learning today. In fact, that’s why we’re playing it. You’ll learn how to play in no time at all.” The older wolf blew his whistle and the kids that were playing began to walk to their coach. “Alright teams, we have two more players. Rey, since you had first pick at the start, I’m going to let Cassie choose her teammate first.” The young beaver looked them over before choosing Zorra. “Alright, Zorra’s on Cassie’s team and Chris, you’re on Rey’s team. Now let’s continue the game. Everyone take your places.” Once all the kids were on the field, coach Faolan blew his whistle and the match began.

The match lasted for an hour, after which everyone was about ready to collapse from exhaustion. “Good game everyone. I’ll be holding tryouts for anyone who wants to join the soccer teams after school. I think it’s about time for you all to return to the classroom.” One by one the kids walked into the classroom and sat at the tables to rest. “Welcome back class. Take a few moments to rest, and once you’re ready you can eat your lunch.” Mr.Hersh said as he began to eat his own lunch. Chris pulled out his backpack and brought out a small bagged lunch that his mother had prepared for him. He pulled the contents of the bag out and was overjoyed when he saw that his lunch today was fruit salad, and for dessert, oatmeal cookies. He quickly ate his lunch and was about to eat his cookies until he noticed the young badger sitting next to him looked at his hungrily but quickly turned away when she realized he had seen her. Chris pulled out one of his cookies and held it out to offer it to her. “Would you like one?” She timidly accepted the cookie and took a small bite. “Thank you for the cookie. I’m Michele.” Chris’ face slowly turned red as he looked at her. “You’re welcome, and my names Chris.” Chris replied as he bit into his own cookie. He had never felt this way for someone. It was a warm, comforting feeling, and he couldn’t get her out of his head.

Chris and Michele spent the rest of their lunch time talking, but were interrupted by Mr.Hersh. “Alright class, it’s time for arts and crafts. Since it’s the first day of school, I think you should all draw a picture for your parents about your day.” He said as he passed out paper and crayons. Chris picked up one of the crayons and began to think about what he should draw. He could draw a picture of himself writing his ABCs or even a picture of him playing soccer. He just couldn’t decide, but he was suddenly struck with inspiration. He began to quickly draw the classroom and all of its shelves, and then he filled it with a drawing of all the friends he had made today. He even wrote their names beside them. He was so wrapped up in his work that he hadn’t noticed Mr.Hersh looking over his shoulder. “My my, that’s quite a picture you’ve drawn. But you seem to have forgotten someone, any clue as to whom?” Chris looked over this picture trying to think of who he could have forgotten. He had Rey, Zorra, and Michele; he even drew Cassie, Leander, Ted, and Peter. Then it hit him, he had forgotten Mr.Hersh. He quickly picked up another crayon and hastily drew Mr.Hersh and coach Faolan on the back of the paper. Mr.Hersh patted Chris’ head and moved on to the other tables to assist the other students with their pictures as well.

After school ended, Chris was waiting anxiously on the bus. He was excited about the day he just had, and wanted to tell him parents all about it. When the bus stopped by his house he leapt out of his seat and hurried off the bus and up to the front door. He excitedly knocked on the door and called to his parents through the door, but when no response came he began to worry. Curious as to why his parents aren’t letting him in he walked to a nearby window to have a look inside. There wasn’t even a light on in the house. Chris’ curiosity quickly turned in to fear as he had realized he was now stuck outside, and to make matters worse he felt cold drops of water beginning to fall onto him. He looked to the sky and his heart sank. There was a rain storm coming, and he had nowhere to hide from the rain. He began to franticly turn the doorknob and pound at the door in hopes that he could force it open. Just as he was about to breakdown and cry he sees a car drive up to the house, and he felt relieved. His parents rushed out of the car and over to their frightened son. “Oh Chris, I’m sorry we got back so late. Come on; let’s get inside before the rain really starts to fall.” His mother said, picking him up and carrying him inside. She set him down on the couch while his father turned on the lights. “Other than being locked out of the house did you have a good day?” His father asked. “It was great, I met a lot of kids in school and got to play soccer and I learned how to spell my name. Look, I make you a picture too.” The excited fox pulled out his picture for his parents to see and began to point out his friends. “This is Rey, he’s a fox just like me. And that’s Zorra; she’s learning how to read with me. And that’s…” the young fox continued until his growling stomach interrupted. “That’s wonderful sweetie. I’m glad you made some friends. Now how about you help me in the kitchen, I’m making your favorite.” Chris’ eyes lit up with joy and he ran into the kitchen. All through dinner, Chris was talking about the fun day he had in school, and after eating his dinner Chris exhaustedly headed to bed. As he slept, the great day he had was just replaying over and over in his head.