Author's Note: Ecks belongs to GreenWiggle2018, and is being used with his permission.

One morning in the Rainbow Kingdom, True and Bartleby were riding on Cumulo to meet up with Grizelda, Zee, and his older brother, Ecks, for a day of canoeing on the river.

"This is exciting", True said, "a whole day on the river with my friends."

"Yeah, it's exciting, alright", Bartleby said, "I just wish there wasn't so much water involved in it."

Soon, they reached the river, where Zee and the others were waiting.

"Thanks, Cumulo", True said.

Cumulo chirped and flew away, and True and Bartleby greeted their friends.

"Hey, guys", True said.

"True, Bartleby", Zee said, "you made it."

"Are you guys ready to have some fun", Ecks asked.

"You bet we are", True said.

"Great", Ecks said, "could you give me and Zee a hand with these canoes?"

"Of course", True said.

True and Bartleby helped Zee and Ecks carry two canoes over by the river, and set them next to a sole kayak.

"There we go", Ecks said, "now, who wants to ride in the kayak?"

"Ooh, ooh, ooh, I do, I do", Grizelda said, "pick me!"

"Alright, then", Ecks said, "you can ride in the kayak, Grizelda."

Grizelda happily clapped her hands.

"Yay", Grizelda said.

"Now then", Ecks said, "it's time to cast off!"

True and Bartleby got into one canoe, Zee and Ecks got into another one, Grizelda got into the kayak, and they soon began rowing down the river.

"Here we go", True said.

They rowed down the river all day, seeing all sorts of interesting animals, plants, and other sights along the way, and after a while, they stopped on a rock bank to rest.

"Here we are", Ecks said, "let's break for lunch, and then we'll go back on our way."

The five friends got out their lunches, which were a ham and cheese sandwich for True, a chili dog for Bartleby, some pepperoni pizza for Zee, a turkey wrap for Grizelda, and a spicy Italian sandwich for Ecks, and while they ate, Bartleby decided to talk about his recent visit with his family.

"So then, we decided to see if my brother could really eat two racks of ribs, and he only managed to eat one rack", Zee said.

The others laughed, but Zee noticed True sitting alone and looking very sad, and decided to go over and talk to her.

"Hey, True", Zee said.

"Oh, Zee", True said, "I didn't see you there."

"Sorry if I startled you", Zee said.

"It's alright", True said, "what's up?"

"Well, I noticed you were looking a little down, and thought I'd see if there was anything I could do to make you feel better", Zee said.

"Oh, I don't know if there's much you can do", True said.

"You can still tell me what's bothering you", Zee said.

"Alright", True said, "well, Bartleby talking about how much fun he has with his family just makes me feel sad because..."

True stopped mid-sentence.

"Because what", Zee asked.

"Can't say it", True said, "you wouldn't believe it."

"Try me", Zee said.

"Alright", True said, "it makes me sad because I don't have any parents."

As True predicted, Zee could hardly believe this.

"No parents", Zee asked, "then who raised you?"

"I was found as a baby and raised by the community of the Rainbow Kingdom as a whole", True said, "I don't know who my parents are, or even if I had any for that matter."

"I see", Zee said, "well, it sounds like you were raised by folks with big hearts, and those are as good as parents."

"Yeah, I guess so", True said, "but it would be nice to know if I ever had any real parents."

Ecks then interrupted.

"Alright, you two", Ecks said, "enough gossiping, it's time we were back on the river."

"Oh, yes, of course", Zee said.

The five friends went over to the canoes and kayak and got ready to go canoeing again.

"Since Grizelda got to ride in the kayak up to here, it's only fair that we give someone else a turn in it", Ecks said, "any takers?"

"I'd like to ride in the kayak, please", True said.

"Very well", Ecks said.

True got in the Kayak, Zee and Ecks got back into their canoe, Grizelda got into the canoe with Bartleby, and they were back on the river once again, and True was enjoying the kayak.

"This is so much fun", True said, "I could do this all day!"

Then, True noticed that she was getting close to some rapids.

"Uh-oh", True said, "those rapids could be trouble."

And she was right, because when she tried to keep her kayak steady while going down the rapids, it leaned over, got some water in it, and True fell into the river.

"Oh no", True shouted, "I'm overboard!"

The others could see that True was in trouble.

"Uh-oh", Ecks said, "True fell into the water."

"And she's floating away", Grizelda said.

"What do we do", Bartleby asked.

"I've got this", Zee said.

Zee jumped out of his and Ecks' canoe and began swimming in True's direction.

"Zee, wait", Ecks said, "we need to think about this carefully."

But Zee didn't hear him, as he was already swimming with all his might, trying to get to True.

"Help", True shouted, "someone, help!"

"Hold on, True", Zee shouted, "I'm coming!"

Up ahead, the river went in two directions, and True floated down the left way, but Zee didn't see her, and when he got to the split, he wasn't sure where to go.

"Which way did True go", Zee asked.

After a moment of thinking, Zee went down the right way, completely unaware that True had floated down the opposite direction.