What if dinosaurs still lived with us? Scarlett loved to think about that! Her dad was taking her on a drive today, and she imagined a giant Brachiosaurus munching on leaves right beside their car. She giggled.
"What's so funny, little one?" Dad asked.
"Oh, just thinking about dinosaurs!" Scarlett said. "What if we saw a real one?"
Dad chuckled. "I think those bones have been buried for a long, long time, sweetie."
But as they drove along, the trees grew thicker and taller. The sunlight faded, and the air felt cool and still. Scarlett thought she heard a twig snap... then a low rumble that seemed to shake the ground.
"Dad, do you hear that?" Scarlett whispered, feeling a little scared but also very excited. She loved an adventure!
Dad stopped the car and listened. "It's probably just the wind, sweetie."
Just then, a tiny voice called out, "Welcome to the Enchanted Forest!"
Scarlett gasped. A little bluebird with sparkling wings perched on the car window, looking right at her!
Before Dad could say a word, Scarlett hopped out of the car. She wasn't scared at all. She knew in her heart that this was a magical place!
"Hello!" Scarlett said politely to the bluebird. "Can you tell me how to find a dinosaur?"
The bluebird tilted its head. "Dinosaurs? Why, they live deep in the Whispering Woods, but they are very shy."
"I promise to be very quiet and kind," Scarlett said. She knew if she believed in herself, she could do anything!
The bluebird fluttered its wings. "Follow me!" it chirped and flew ahead, leading Scarlett and her Dad down a winding path.
The forest was filled with the most amazing things Scarlett had ever seen! Giant, colorful mushrooms glowed in the dim light. Flowers sang soft melodies, and little furry creatures peeked at them from behind the trees.
Finally, they reached a clearing bathed in golden sunlight. And there, munching on a tree that seemed to reach the sky, was a giant dinosaur! It was even bigger than Scarlett had imagined, with green scales and kind eyes.
"Wow!" Scarlett breathed. She wasn't scared at all. She felt happy and amazed.
"Hello, little one," the dinosaur rumbled in a voice as deep as thunder. "What brings you to the Whispering Woods?"
Scarlett, remembering her promise to be brave, took a deep breath and said, "My name is Scarlett, and I love dinosaurs! Can we be friends?"
The dinosaur chuckled, and the ground shook beneath their feet. "Of course, little one! But even big dinosaurs get lonely sometimes. Would you mind staying and playing with me?"
Scarlett's heart soared! She knew she was a good friend, and now she had a dinosaur friend too! She spent the rest of the afternoon playing hide-and-seek with the dinosaur and dancing among the giant trees.
When it was time to go, Scarlett hugged the dinosaur's big toe goodbye. She knew she would never forget this magical adventure.
As they drove away, Dad said, "That was amazing, Scarlett! You were so brave and kind to that dinosaur. "
Scarlett smiled. She knew that when she believed in herself, anything was possible, even finding a dinosaur in the Enchanted Forest!
