Nutty[/@ch_1], a senior squirrel, sits alone on a sturdy bench, her round cheeks puffed as she contemplates her plan.] Nutty glances over at a colorful flyer taped to a nearby tree. The flyer boasts in bold letters: “Fat Squirrel Pool Day—Only for the Chubbiest!” Her small, chubby belly gurgles quietly as she thinks about how much bigger she’ll need to be. "I just wish my belly was big enough to join. Everyone will be there, splashing and snacking," she whispers, paws pressed to her tummy.

Nutty paces back and forth, determination shining in her eyes. She opens a bag of hazelnuts and begins munching, savoring each crunchy bite. "If I eat enough, maybe my belly will be the biggest in school," she says, stuffing another pawful into her mouth, her tail twitching with excitement.

Nutty pokes her belly and giggles, watching it wobble with each poke. Her clothes strain at the seams, and she can barely fit into her favorite pool swimsuit. "Wow… I did it! I’m definitely fat enough now," she says, spinning around and nearly knocking over a stack of pillows.

Nutty waddles to the entrance, her belly leading the way. The pool attendant eyes her up and down, then nods approvingly. "Welcome, Nutty! You’re just the kind of squirrel we’re looking for today," the attendant says with a wide smile.

Nutty floats happily, her belly bobbing above the water. She laughs with new friends, feeling proud and included for the first time. "All that effort was worth it—I’ve never felt so happy," she says, her face glowing with joy.

Nutty pats her belly, a gentle smile on her lips. She realizes that her quest wasn’t just about fitting in—it was about embracing who she is, big belly and all. "Next year, maybe I’ll help others find their place too," she muses, her heart full and content.