Fred is a young field mouse, and hes the only one in his family to survive the winter. It was the coldest winter the North Yorkshire Dales had ever known. As he sits nibbling away at a slightly browned apple core at the base of the dry stone wall he calls his home, Fred catches the sight of movement from the corner of his eye. He freezes at first, and then slowly turns to find a very large creature with a menacing snout and very long, menacing claws. Fred is relieved to learn that the creature is Bertram Kettlewell Smiley of Upper WharfedaleBertie, for shortand that hes not just a badger, but a badger of great repute. Fred is glad hes met Bertie and its a good thing he has, for it isnt long before trouble threatens as they search for new homes. Its a move that becomes the first in a series of adventures that help them learn more about each other. And who knows, they may find other new friends, and even something more, in their adventures.

P W Brisley has worked in England and in international schools as a teacher and leader for many years. As a head teacher in England and beyond, Phill found it useful to use such stories to help illustrate important lessons to his students in both in his classes and assemblies. He has recently returned to the UK after finishing his most recent posting, in Malaysia.