Fiona Fox prances down the forest path.
Oh,
There she is,
Says Fiona.
She can see Auntie Franny's feathered hat peeking out from behind a bush.
Auntie Franny is so cool.
She has the best taste in hats and always has a sunny disposition.
Fiona wants to be just like her.
She even has started her own collection of hats.
She also wants to learn to paint like Auntie Franny.
That's why they're meeting by the river today to paint the beautiful fall leaves.
Hi,
Auntie,
Says Fiona.
Auntie Franny and Fiona's easel are set up side by side.
Oh,
Look at that paint.
And the brushes,
Brand new,
Just for me,
Says Fiona.
She has been looking forward to this art lesson for a long time.
Let's get started,
Fifi,
Says Auntie Franny.
Fiona tries to paint her trees and leaves just like Auntie Franny.
But it doesn't go as well as she'd hoped.
Her tree trunk is leaning over way too far,
Not like Auntie Franny's tree that is standing up super straight.
Ugh,
Says Fiona.
She paints a bunch of leaves right and then one leaf terribly wrong.
This looks awful,
Says Fiona.
Ugh,
And my sky,
It looks gray.
And my sun looks brown.
Mixing colors is just impossible.
Fiona throws her paintbrush on the ground and knocks off the water with her angry tail.
I can't seem to get anything right.
She says.
Fiona hits her forehead with her paw.
I can't do this.
It's just too hard.
Auntie Franny puts down her brush and takes both of Fiona's paws in hers.
Aunt Fran,
Why can't I be just like you?
Fiona says.
You know how to do so many things.
I always mess up and you never mess up.
Oh,
Fifi,
I mess up all the time,
Says Auntie Franny.
Mess ups are not bad.
In fact,
They're really good as long as you see them in the right way.
Mess ups are kind of like teachers to us if we see them like that.
Fiona leans in super close to her easel and places her foxy nose right up against the paper.
What does that messed up yellow leaf teach me,
Aunt Fran?
Step back.
Look now,
Says Auntie Franny.
You can see the whole painting now.
And that yellow leaf can teach you who is in charge.
You are the artist,
Right?
You can change that leaf if you want.
Auntie Franny picks up the brushes from the ground and refills Fiona's water cup.
And you know what,
Fifi?
You can change what thoughts you believe,
Too.
Fiona picks up her brush and starts taking charge of her painting.
She covers up the messed up leaf with a bright orange leaf.
That's looking better,
Fiona says.
But I know that that bad leaf is still under there.
She moves her foxy nose in closer to the painting.
I can't stop thinking about it.
In fact,
I'll probably still be thinking about it tomorrow.
It makes me feel like I never want to try anything new,
Says Fiona.
Let's put those thoughts somewhere else so that you don't have to worry about them,
Says Auntie Franny.
Fiona looks around.
Like inside your hat?
Oh,
Laughs Auntie Franny.
You think I want to be carrying around all your thoughts?
No thanks.
How about we use those leaves over there?
See all those crunchy fall leaves falling down from the tree and floating down the stream?
Let's see if we can place our thoughts on them.
Okay,
Fiona says,
Looking at all the beautiful leaves around her.
Which leaf stands out to you,
Fifi?
Asks Auntie Franny.
I like that teeny tiny red one over there.
By that rock,
Says Fiona.
Oh,
It just started floating.
Okay,
Picture yourself placing your thought right on that leaf.
Take in a deep breath.
And now let that thought float right down the stream with the leaf.
Fiona places her thought on the leaf and takes a deep breath.
Hasta la vista,
Baby leaf,
Says Fiona.
You are so funny,
Fifi.
But you know what else is kind of funny?
Our thoughts.
Thoughts are funny things.
They keep coming back.
But that just gives us another chance to let them go again.
You may have to put the same thought on a leaf over and over again.
But eventually,
That cute smart brain of yours will only pay attention to the thoughts that will help you.
And you'll be able to learn from your mess-ups instead of continue to live in them.
Fiona gives Auntie Franny a big hug.
Thanks,
Aunt Fran.
You always give the greatest advice.
She turns back to her painting and spots the orange leaf and says,
Hey,
That leaf turned out fantastic.
