Oh! Everything outside looked so inviting, especially the garden! I pressed my face against the glass door, sighing softly. If only I could find a way outside, then I could really have fun!
I heard footsteps and my sister, Celine, crouched down beside me. “What’s out there?” she peered through the door with me. I tried not to express my frustration. Did she have to follow me around everywhere?
Riiing! My mother hurried to the phone. “Hello? Yes, I’ll be right over.” She hung up and looked at Celine. “I’m going to pick up your grandparents. Watch your brother, alright?” She headed to the front door. “I’ll be back soon.”
Celine watched through the window as Mama left, but I stayed where I was, my eyes widening. In Mama’s hurry, she hadn’t fully closed the front door.
This was my chance. Celine was so intent on watching Mama that I was certain that she wouldn’t notice me escape.
I quietly crawled towards the door, finally slipping outside. I grinned. Nobody would follow me around anymore!
Once in the yard, I noticed some yellow flowers growing in the grass. Curious, I crawled over to one of them. I cautiously touched its spiky looking leaf. It was soft, not sharp at all!
I stuck it into my mouth, then spat it out immediately. Yuck! It tasted disgusting; it was bitter and gross.
Beginning to feel hot and sweaty, I wearily crawled towards a large shady tree. But, before I got there, shadows passed over me. I looked up and saw animals flying above me.
I continued towards the tree; but, before I could reach it, something happened. Large white droppings bombarded the area around me. I hoped none would hit me.
When the animals had flown away, I sighed in relief that the projectiles had missed me. Still, I looked in disgust at the white splotches nearby. I carefully made my way past them, finally collapsing in the cool shade of the tree. I was getting tired and frustrated!
After resting for a moment, I started crawling once more. Soon, I caught a glimpse of the garden I liked to look at through the glass door. Smiling, I crawled quickly towards it.
Once there, I looked around at the different kinds of plants. I recognized tomatoes, beans, carrots… CARROTS? I backed up. I loved carrots: their crunchiness, their taste, everything about them!
I reached out and grabbed one. As I pulled it out, something appeared behind it. I squealed. It was a hideous creature, with horns, a tail, and a rock for a body. (It was a snail.)
I spun around and crawled quickly away from the garden. If Celine had been there, she could have comforted me. Unfortunately, now I was on my own, and, for the first time, I wasn’t sure I liked it. I missed home.
I’d had enough. As I made my way back, I suddenly heard loud, scary noises and flashes of bright light. I looked up at the flashing sky and felt water landing on my face. Now I wished I had never left home.
After some time, I finally saw our home’s door through the blinding rain. I crawled hastily towards it.
As I crawled, I heard Celine’s voice calling to me, “There you are!” She snatched me up, hugged me tightly and carried me into the house. Warmth flooded through me as Celine draped a blanket over me.
I smiled and finally realized: there’s nothing like “Home Sweet Home!”