Once upon a time, there was a group of friends, a CAT, a BAT, a MAT, a RAT, and a HAT. They all lived in a cozy little village where everyone was friendly and kind.

One day, a new neighbor moved into the village. It was a MAN who had a big smile on his face and a warm welcome for everyone. The friends were excited to make a new friend and immediately went to introduce themselves. The MAN was so happy to meet them and he invited them to his house for a big feast.

The friends were delighted and they went to the MAN's house, where they found a big table set with delicious food and drinks. The MAN had also prepared some special treats for each of them. The CAT got a bowl of cream, the BAT got a bunch of juicy fruits, the MAT got a plate of cheese, the RAT got a bowl of nuts, and the HAT got a glass of punch.

They all sat down and enjoyed the feast together, chatting and laughing. After the meal, the MAN pulled out a surprise. He had a special CAN of paint and a FAN to dry it quickly. He asked the friends if they wanted to paint their houses. The friends were thrilled and they all agreed to paint their houses.

They went to their houses and started painting. The CAT painted her house in a beautiful shade of blue, the BAT painted his house in a vibrant shade of purple, the MAT painted his house in a cozy shade of yellow, the RAT painted his house in a warm shade of red, and the HAT painted his house in a cheerful shade of green.

When they were finished, they all came back to the MAN's house to admire their work. They were so proud of their new houses and they thanked the MAN for the paint and the FAN. From that day on, the friends and the MAN became the best of friends, and they all lived happily ever after.

The end.

Reflections

1. Why did the friends want to paint their houses?
2. How does the story show that it's important to be welcoming to new people in your community?
3. How did the friends show their gratitude to the new neighbor for helping them paint their houses?