In each of these tales, friendship is formed or enhanced through kindness, creativity, and ambition. A surprise joyous ending is a happy reward for the characters. "The Elf, the Woodpecker, and the Owl" features a grump whose life is changed by a storm. Everything is fixed by two birds who care. In "Herbert Goes for Sherbert," two cousins explore the simple wonders of summer, and one thing leads to another. "Pandy's Voyage" is a forest fantasy with a delicious treat finale.