Cammie the capybara padded into Paddington Town just as the morning bell chimed. Her fur still held the sparkle of river mist. Stalls lined the square, but the townsfolk looked worried.

Junior the frog hopped up, eyes wide. “Cammie, the town fountain is stuck. No water means no market. Everyone is trying, but nothing works.”

“Show me,” Cammie said.

They reached the stone fountain. Buckets, ropes, and worried faces crowded around. Queen Paddington paced. “We pull and twist, yet the lever will not move.”

Cammie studied the old handle. “One pair of paws or one set of hands isn’t enough,” she said. “But many together might be.”

Junior croaked. “We’ve all tried already.”

“Not together,” Cammie replied. “Watch.”

She placed her broad body against the base. “Everyone take a spot. Push when I count.”

The baker grabbed the side. The blacksmith braced his shoulder. Even tiny mice wedged their paws along the rim.

“One… two… three!”

The lever shifted a breath. Water spat, then stopped.

“Again,” Cammie urged. “Same rhythm. Listen to each other.”

They tried once more. This time the fountain shuddered. A rush of water leapt skyward, sparkling like a silver tree.

Cheers rang through the square. Children splashed in the first spray. The queen clapped her hands. “You’ve done it!”

Cammie smiled. “We did it. Cooperation means moving as one.”

Junior grinned, droplets glinting on his green skin. “I thought I was too small to help. But my hop pushed just enough.”

Cammie nodded. “Every push mattered.”

The baker handed out warm rolls. The blacksmith passed mugs of cool water. The mice danced in a tiny circle. The whole square buzzed with shared pride.

Queen Paddington raised her voice above the laughter. “Today we learned a simple truth. Together we are stronger than any stuck fountain.”

Cammie felt the sun dry her damp fur. “Cooperation,” she said softly, “is the best tool any town can have.”

The fountain sang on, a steady music for their new friendship.