Storybook Lane
Mabel’s Very Helpful Tail
Ages 3–5
Mabel the alligator is determined to use perfect indoor manners. Quiet feet? Easy. Careful tail? Not so easy. Napkins fly, blocks wobble, and socks scatter—until Nia discovers that Mabel’s enormous swishy tail might be
exactly what a very messy room needs.
Page 1 of 12
Mabel was an alligator.
A green, bumpy, tiptoe-quiet alligator.
And today, Mabel was coming inside.
“Indoor manners,” said Nia.
Mabel nodded.
“Quiet feet.”
Mabel tiptoed.
“Careful tail.”
Mabel looked behind her.
Her tail looked very innocent.
Page 2 of 12
Nia opened the door.
Mabel took one careful step.
Then another.
SWISH!
Her tail swept three shoes into a basket.
Nia blinked.
Mabel blinked.
“Well,” said Nia, “that was helpful.”
Mabel stood a little taller.
Page 3 of 12
In the kitchen, Nia put napkins on the table.
“I can help,” said Mabel.
She carried one napkin very carefully.
Very slowly.
Very—
SWISH!
Her tail sent all the other napkins flying.
One landed on the lamp.
One landed on Nia’s head.
One landed on Mabel’s nose.
Page 4 of 12
Mabel went cross-eyed trying to see it.
Nia giggled.
Mabel did not.
“I will be MORE careful,” Mabel said.
She tucked her tail close.
She tucked it closer.
She tucked it—
BOINK!
The tail popped free and bumped the cupboard shut.
“Helpful?” asked Mabel.
“A little,” said Nia.
Page 5 of 12
They went to the sitting room.
Nia stacked blocks on the rug.
Mabel watched from far away.
“Do not worry,” she whispered to her tail.
Her tail did not move.
Nia built a tall tower.
Mabel smiled.
Her tail gave one tiny happy wiggle.
Tap.
The tower leaned.
Page 6 of 12
Nia gasped.
Mabel gasped.
The tower leaned left.
It leaned right.
Mabel stretched out her tail.
“Hold still!”
The tower rested against it.
Nothing fell.
Nia cheered.
Mabel’s tail gave a proud wiggle.
“NO WIGGLING!” they both cried.
Page 7 of 12
After lunch, Nia carried a basket of clean socks.
Mabel followed.
Very carefully.
Then Nia stepped on a runaway napkin.
“Wheee!”
The basket tipped.
Socks flew everywhere.
Red socks.
Blue socks.
Stripy socks.
Mabel’s eyes grew wide.
Page 8 of 12
“I can help!” said Mabel.
She turned in one slow circle.
SWISH...
SWISH...
SWISH...
Her long tail gently pushed every sock into one big fluffy pile.
Not one sock went under the sofa.
Nia clapped.
Mabel beamed.
Her tail wiggled.
Just a little.
Page 9 of 12
Then came the biggest job.
Nia’s little brother had emptied the toy basket.
Cars covered the rug.
Blocks covered the floor.
A stuffed bear sat in a cooking pot.
“Oh, crumbs,” said Nia.
Mabel looked at the toys.
Then she looked at her tail.
Her tail looked ready.
Page 10 of 12
“Indoor manners,” Nia reminded her.
Mabel nodded.
“Quiet feet.”
Mabel tiptoed.
“Careful tail.”
Mabel took a breath.
Then—
SWISH...
She swept the cars together.
SWISH...
She nudged the blocks together.
SWISH...
She pushed the stuffed bear right beside the basket.
Page 11 of 12
Nia picked up the piles.
Mabel made new ones.
Soon the floor was clear.
Almost.
One rubber duck remained.
Mabel gave the tiniest swish.
Squeak!
The duck sailed straight into the toy basket.
Nia stared.
Mabel stared.
Then they both burst out laughing.
Page 12 of 12
At home time, Mabel stood by the door.
“Was my tail too much?” she asked.
Nia shook her head.
“Your tail is VERY much.”
Mabel’s smile drooped.
Nia hugged her bumpy shoulder.
“And very helpful.”
Mabel grinned.
Her tail gave one happy—
SWISH!
The doormat flipped over.
Mabel sighed.
Nia giggled.
“Next time,” she said, “we’ll work on the doormat.”
Mabel’s Very Helpful Tail
The End
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