Rix and the Tumble-Twig Bridge

When a wild storm sweeps away the old crossing, the critters fear they’ll never reach the other side. But Rix the Raccoon shows that real invention isn’t magic — it’s trying, tumbling, learning, and trying again. A lively tale of splashes, wobbles, and the sturdy dreams that grow from every daring try.

(By Ross Boulton © 2025)

In the heart of the forest where soft rivers sing,

The stepping stones shattered in one stormy spring.

The critters all gathered to sigh and to scowl:

"We can't cross the river! We’re stuck on this prow!"

The buzzards held meetings atop a tall pine,

They flapped and they plotted and wasted much time.

"More charts!" they demanded. "More graphs! More reviews!"

While the river kept laughing and soaking their shoes.

But Rix the young raccoon, with his bright clever paws,

Scratched at his whiskers and pondered the cause.

"If stones tumble off when the water runs high...

Maybe twigs could weave stronger — let's give it a try!"

He gathered up branches all spindly and thin,

And wove them with moss in a basket of spin.

He lashed and he looped and he braided with glee,

Then marched out his bridge with a clap and a whee!

SPLASH!

The bridge bent and buckled — it twisted and fell,

Leaving poor Rix in a soggy mud-smell.

The crabs gave a chuckle. The chipmunks just stared.

But Rix shook his fur out and boldly declared:

"First tries can fumble! But learning begins —

Each tumble teaches what better bridge wins!"

He noticed the knots that had slipped in the spray,

And picked thicker twigs that could twist and could sway.

He braided them tighter, he anchored each side,

Then tiptoed once more with his shoulders held wide.

CREEAAK!

The bridge wobbled wildly, but Rix made it through!

A chipmunk then followed — then a shy kangaroo!

The critters all cheered, and the buzzards looked glum,

As Rix waved his tail and drummed on his drum.

From that rainy day in the twist-swirling grove,

The critters remembered as onward they roved:

Big ideas don’t appear fully built —

They tumble, they twist, they learn from each tilt.

💡 Did You Know?

In real life, smart builders and makers love their first flops — they call it "failing forward!"

Every tumble, crash, or splat teaches what works even better the next time.

Trying, failing, fixing, and trying again is how real bridges — and real dreams — are built!

Pick your favorite

• Mistakes aren't the end — they're just the beginning
• If you fall down, shake off the mud and try again!
• Big ideas grow stronger with every little fix!