Welcome. Continuing with our series dedicated to the little ones at home, Explora Natura brings you a new story to share as a family. Now that we're all staying home, enjoy the stories we bring you every day.

Ball and Brush 

As every morning, very early, Mama Rabbit took her little children to play outside the burrow.

"Don't go far!" he told them. "You know that foxes and eagles are around and they might eat you.".

–Yes, Mommy! –They all answered at the same time.

One of them darted among the flowers; only the tips of his ears were visible as he jumped between them. Two others found an embankment that had become a little slippery with the dew. Their laughter delighted their mother as they slid down that wonderful slide.

The oldest of them all had climbed onto a tree trunk and from there, he was eating the tree's tenderest shoots.

One of the little brothers, whom they called Bola because he was chubby, was always left alone. He would spend hours by a pond, watching his reflection in the water.

–You know, pond? What I'd like most is to have a friend. Someone who loves me for who I am and with whom I can share my toys.

Suddenly, a noise in the bush startled him –Who's there?

"I'm Pincel, the lynx," and his big head peeked out from among the twigs of a rockrose. "I saw you there all alone and I was wondering if you wanted to be my friend.".

Bola's eyes lit up. "Do you really want to be my friend?"

"Of course! Haven't I told you? By the way, what's your name?" asked the young lynx.

–They call me Bola.

–Ball? –Pincel exclaimed in surprise. –Why such a strange name?

–Well, because they say I'm chubby. Everyone makes fun of me and nobody wants to play with me.

"You say you're chubby? Well, I don't see you as chubby. Besides, compared to me..."

–And they both started laughing.

–And tell me, why do they call you Brush?

–Can't you see my ears? Each one ends in a tuft that looks like a little paintbrush.

–Heh, that's right!

And the two of them spent the whole morning playing near the river, jumping, running, and laughing.

When midday arrived, Bola asked his new friend, "Aren't you hungry? Let's go to my house; my mom will give us something to eat.".

The little ones headed towards Mama Rabbit's house.

"Mommy!" shouted little Bola from afar. "I'm here, and I have a little friend. His name is Pincel.".

When she saw them, their mother became very nervous. "Come on, children, all of you go inside the burrow. Quickly! And you, Bola, why have you brought the lynx?"

The young rabbit didn't understand his mother's position. –He's my friend, Mom.

"He can't be your friend, lynxes eat rabbits!"

–But Mommy, he's my friend. He's not going to eat us.

"Ball!" his mother interrupted. "I said you can't be friends, and that's the end of the discussion. So say goodbye to him and tell him to go back to his family.".

Saddened, the two young men turned around and walked a short distance. "This is terrible," they thought, as they headed towards the thicket where they had met.

Suddenly, Pincel had an idea – I've got it!

"What?" Bola asked.

My mom has always told us that the wisest animal in the forest is Mr. Owl. We can go and ask him if there's any way we can be friends.

–Bravo! –Exclaimed the rabbit with a smile on his face.

Mr. Owl lived in the hollow of a large oak tree, and the two friends walked there.

"Mr. Owl!" they shouted at the same time.

"Who wakes me up at this hour of the day?" protested the wise owl as he put on his glasses.

–We are Bola and Pincel, sir, and we wanted to ask for your advice.

"Well, well," exclaimed the owl. "A curious pair. A rabbit and a lynx together as friends! You be the judge.".

"You see, sir, I've never had any friends. Everyone makes fun of me because I'm chubby. This morning I met Pincel, who doesn't care what I look like and wants to be my friend. But my mother says a rabbit and a lynx can't be friends. We thought that you, being wise, might be able to give us a solution so we don't have to separate.".

"You see, young man, your mother is right. Lynxes eat rabbits, they always have, so it's impossible for you to be friends.".

"But it's not fair!" protested Pincel.

“It may not be fair,” said the owl, “but since the earth was created, this has been the way it is. So, if you want my advice, you should say goodbye now while you are friends, before something bad happens.”.

The two little ones burst into tears and embraced tightly. Mr. Owl took pity on them and said, “Since I see your friendship is sincere, I will help you. On the other side of the hill, there is a large rock next to an ancient willow tree. A fairy, the Lady of the Forest, lives there. Her name is Mara, and perhaps she can help you. Tell her you come from me.”.

–Thank you, Mr. Owl. –And the two of them went off in search of him.

When they arrived at the place where the fairy lived, they saw her sitting on the large stone. Her transparent wings shone in the afternoon sun, and, helped by two swallows, she was combing her long, golden hair.

"What a curious pair!" she exclaimed upon seeing the two little ones. "What brings you here?"

"You see, fairy lady, we want to be friends, but everyone tells us it's impossible, that a rabbit and a lynx can't be friends. Mr. Owl sent us here in case you have a solution.".

The fairy sat up and, stroking her chin, looked at them. “It is indeed a problem. As you have been told, your races cannot live together as friends. I am afraid the best thing you can do is to say goodbye today as friends and go your separate ways. That way, you will avoid problems in the future, when you grow up.”.

The two youngsters' faces reflected sadness. They embraced in the tenderest of hugs, as only friends do, and turning away, they left. But suddenly, the fairy's wings lit up, and a rainbow appeared from the tears of the two children.

"Wait a minute!" said Mara, the forest fairy. "A fairy's wings only light up when there's a pure feeling of love and friendship, and you two have made it possible for them to light up. When this happens, fairies can grant a wish, and I'm going to make it so you can always be together and live as friends. Brush, I'll turn you into a cloud, and Ball, into rain. That way, every day, you can travel together, visit your families, and fill the fields with life so the grass and flowers can grow." The two friends hugged. Their happiness was endless. Thanks to the fairy, they could be together, like good friends, and they could visit their parents and siblings. They both fell into a deep sleep, and at dawn, they were cloud and rain.

Since then, when it starts to rain very early and the clouds cover everything, lynxes and rabbits come out to greet Bola and Pincel, who never gave up their friendship.

Antonio Pestana

Antonio Jesús Pestana Salido (Cabra, Córdoba, 1970) is an Andalusian ornithologist and nature photographer, specializing in birds and the interpretation of the Mediterranean landscape. From childhood, he has been involved in the study and observation of wildlife, and has spent decades exploring the natural areas of Andalusia, especially the Subbética region of Córdoba.

He is a nationally awarded nature photographer, winner of the first prize in the Carl Zeiss nature photography competition (4th edition) with a digiscoping image of a common crossbill, in addition to other recognitions in specialized bird photography competitions.

As a field ornithologist, he has participated in bird monitoring and conservation projects, especially for birds of prey and steppe birds, and has served as provincial coordinator in Córdoba for the Montagu's and hen harrier censuses. He is also president of the Abanto naturalist association, dedicated to the dissemination and conservation of natural heritage.

He is the author of several books on Iberian fauna and popular culture published by specialized publishers, including "Iberian birds in popular culture" and "Iberian diurnal birds of prey in popular culture," works that compile proverbs, beliefs and traditions related to birds in popular culture.

In addition to his work as an author and photographer, he develops outreach and environmental education activities, leading nature outings, giving bird photography workshops and collaborating with educational centers, associations and nature tourism projects.
She regularly works with schools, designing wildlife observation activities adapted for primary and secondary school students. She also collaborates with companies and associations on birdwatching tours, teaches nature photography courses, and participates in the design of natural areas.