Lily hopped over the white picket fence. Her sneakers landed softly on the green grass.
She took a deep breath of pine-scented air. Suddenly — SNAP! She whirled around, eyes wide.
Lily followed a trail of wildflowers deeper into the woods.
A squirrel chattered from an oak branch. It scurried away before she could get close.
She tried to climb the oak tree, but her feet slipped on the bark. Down she dropped with a thud.
She considered going back. But then a tiny grey mouse waddled from behind a mushroom.
The mouse tugged at her shoelace, leading the way through the ferns.
She pushed through the ferns and stopped. A family of deer drank from a clear stream.
The little fawn lifted its head and bowed.
Lily sat on a mossy log and watched the deer drink.
The tiny grey mouse curled up in her pocket, warm and small.
She smiled. Her adventure had truly begun.
