CHAPTER THREE: THE CLUMSY LONGNECK
Ducky, who was, by nature, cheerful, and optimistic, decided to try to cheer Dayo up. "You should not be sad all the time. Oh no, no, no." she said.
"You have no idea little Swimmer. I have no idea why I'm talking to you. I've only ever talked to Longnecks before. Yet, I'm so lonely that I'd take anyone." she said. "Well, Leaf Eaters anyway." she quickly added.
"Don't bother her Ducky. I know that when I'm down, I can get as mad as a Sharptooth if disturbed." said Shorty. Dayo glared at him. Everyone knew that she had a strong fear of Sharpteeth. "Sorry, wrong choice of words." said Shorty, embarrassed.
Rain started to come down. They got soaked. The group headed into a cave, for it seemed the closest dry place to go. The wind from the rainstorm blew leaves into the cave. Some landed on Dayo. She started to push them off of her, but they just came back. She groaned. She kept hitting the leaves. Eventually, she found it kind of fun, and started to try and whack as many leaves as she could out of the cave.
Shorty joined her and together, the two were whacking leaves. They were having a great time. Eventually, the storm ended and the Bright Circle came back out. They left the cave. Dayo seemed much happier.
She ran up to Littlefoot and poked him. "Tag, you're it." she said. She ran off. Littlefoot followed. He was glad that Dayo was feeling better. Dayo went to go hide from Littlefoot. She accidentally got her foot caught in a hole. She struggled to free herself. Eventually, she was able to do so. However, the resulting force caused her to go rolling down a hill.
Meanwhile, Mrs. Maia was nestling her eggs into a nice cozy nest she had made. It had taken her a lot of effort. She saw something coming down the hill. Her mouth opened in shock. "What is that?" she asked.
POW! Dayo collided with her nest. The nice materials she had made it out of went into the air. "NOOOOO!" yelled Mrs. Maia. Her eggs also went airborne. She went after them and was able to catch them all, using her mouth, arms, and even her legs to get them. Luckily, none broke. However, she glared angrily at Dayo. "OUT!" she yelled.
Dayo ran off, frightened. Littlefoot ran across her and tagged her. "You're it now." he said. He noticed that she seemed upset. "What's a matter?" he asked.
When she was done, Littlefoot said, in a tone that meant that it was no big deal "She's an old grouch. Don't let it bother you. You didn't mean it after all." said Littlefoot.
"No, I didn't." said Dayo. She cheered up and they resumed their game. Later, that day, they stood on top of each other, the kids were trying to get some Tree Sweets. However, Dayo accidentally stumbled. They all went tumbling. Ducky, who was at the top, went sailing through the air and got stuck in a tree. Petrie had to go and get her down.
"Thank you Petrie." she said.
"Nice going Dayo!" grumbled Cera.
Littlefoot opened his mouth to argue back that it was just an accident, but, to his surprise, Shorty got there first. "Lay up Cera! She didn't mean it. It was an accident." he said, glaring at Cera.
"Three accidents in one day?" said Cera, raising her eyebrows.
"I'm naturally clumsy." said Dayo.
"I've noticed." said Cera coolly.
"Cera, she can't help it." said Littlefoot in annoyance.
At last, the Bright Circle went down. They all went to sleep. Dayo stayed near Shorty, for she seemed to be growing fond of him. Littlefoot was kept awake, for Shorty had started snoring loudly before he could fall asleep.
Littlefoot noticed that Dayo was tossing and turning. She seemed to be having a bad Sleep Story. She muttered in her sleep "No please. Not them! Please!"
Littlefoot wondered whom she was talking about. He went and moved next to her, trying to comfort her. Much to his surprise, Dayo, in her sleep, had grabbed onto him and hugged him. Though annoyed, Littlefoot had let her be. He fell asleep with her hugging him.