Gabrielle, a swan, can’t land gracefully in the lake, and she’s embarrassed by
her belly flop in front of the flock. Buddy, a field mouse, can’t swim, but that
doesn’t deter him from trying to help Gabrielle learn how to peacefully land in
the water. Buddy thinks about this problem while riding on Gabrielle’s back for
plunge after plunge in the cold lake, and he eventually provides her with the
tools she needs to break through and conquer her frustrating weakness.
Gabrielle is ecstatic and empowered by her new landing skills. The rest of the
flock sees her in a confident new light, and the Swan Queen nominates
Gabrielle to become a Swan Princess. The catch is that Gabrielle must turn
away from Buddy and only be friends with the other swans if she accepts the
Swan Queen’s nomination. What’s a swan to do?
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