Luz slipped on her shiny boots and pulled her yellow hat low over her eyes. She pushed open the courtyard gate and stepped onto the warm stone patio. The palm fronds rattled in the breeze.
Luz crouched by the white brick wall and spotted a bright red flower swaying in the sun. A bumblebee buzzed past her ear and landed softly on a petal.
She followed the bee with her eyes as it flew toward the garden. Luz thought — she wonders where it will land next.
The bee disappeared into the green garden. Luz stayed crouched a moment longer, then her hands brushed the soft brown dirt along the wall.
Her fingers dug into the dirt and uncovered something smooth and round. A blue marble — she held it up and it glowed like a tiny sky.
Then Luz saw something green flickering near the patio edge. She froze — her yellow hat tipped forward as she blinked slowly.
A tiny green frog sat on a flat rock, blinking at her. Luz slowly reached out one finger. The frog blinked back — then HOP!
The frog hopped — right onto her shiny boot. Luz gasped and giggled, jumping in place. 'You came to visit!' she whispered.
Luz sat back down on the patio and watched the frog hop to a leaf and stay there. She tucked the blue marble safely into her pocket.
The frog gave a soft little croak, then hopped away into the garden. Luz stood up and brushed the dirt from her knees.
Luz walked back toward the gate, her steps light. She thought — today was a very good discovery day.
She pushed through the gate and into the courtyard. Luz smiled the biggest smile. Ready to show her family her blue marble.