Once upon a time, there was a colony of prairie dogs living on the vast prairie. One day, a pioneer mammal named Burt arrived and decided to build his burrow next to the prairie dog's colony.
The prairie dogs were worried because Burt was a predator, but they soon realized that he was not like other predators. Burt was kind and loved to play with the prairie dogs. He even started to help them protect their habitat from other predators!
The prairie dogs and Burt formed a coterie, and they all lived happily ever after, playing and exploring the prairie. The end.

Reflections

1. What did the prairie dogs think of Burt at first?
2. How did Burt and the prairie dogs become friends?
3. What was Burt's role in protecting the prairie dog's habitat?
4. What does the story teach us about predators and prey?
5. What is a coterie and why did the prairie dogs and Burt form one?