Darrick is building a tall, tall block tower — one more block, easy does it. The cat sits close and watches every move. Almost as tall as Darrick now!
Crash! Down comes the tower, blocks bouncing everywhere. The cat jumps back with a startled squeak. Deep in Darrick's tummy, something small starts to feel hot.
Rumble, rumble... the little volcano is awake! It puffs grey smoke and glows orange-red. It gets hotter and hotter, and Darrick's cheeks burn hot too.
"It's all your fault!" Darrick stomps and shouts and kicks the blocks away. Stomp, stomp, STOMP! The little volcano spits bright red sparks, and the whole room feels too hot.
Oh no. The cat is hiding under the sofa, tail all trembly, eyes big and worried. Darrick's heart goes thud. The shouting scared the little cat.
Then Darrick remembers something: volcanoes don't like cool wind. "Whoo — blow a breath and cool it down." One hand rests softly on the warm, grumbly tummy.
Breathe in deep, like smelling a flower. Breathe out slow, like cooling hot soup. Whoooo... The shoulders sink down soft, and a cool little breeze curls toward the volcano.
The little volcano cools down into a quiet, sleepy hill, with one tiny flower on top. The cat pads over for a gentle nuzzle. Darrick strokes the soft fur, slow and kind.
Darrick builds the tower again — even taller than before! A block slips near the top? Whoo — one cool breath, and steady hands fix it. No problem at all.
At dusk, Darrick snuggles into the armchair and pats a quiet tummy. "Goodnight, little volcano." The cat curls up close, purring warm and cozy — purr, purr, purr.