A blue butterfly fluttered past the backyard gate and bumped the glass door. Marmalade raced after it across the cozy kitchen. Clink!
Marmalade skidded to a stop when the gate rattled in the wind. The butterfly slipped through the bars. “Wait!”
Marmalade padded to the gate and stretched one paw outside. A leaf scraped across the path—swish! The butterfly circled just beyond the fence.
Marmalade pulled the paw back. Then the butterfly dipped low, close enough to follow. Marmalade placed one paw forward again.
Marmalade squeezed through the gate and followed the butterfly. Beyond the fence waited a garden of winding paths, giant leaves, and secret shade.
A tall sunflower bent down and tickled Marmalade’s whiskers. Marmalade hopped backward. The sunflower bobbled and bowed.
Marmalade batted at the bobbing flower. The tall sunflower swayed away, then bowed again. Marmalade’s tail flicked beneath the leaves.
The butterfly landed on a bright stone beside Marmalade. Marmalade took one careful step, then another, then a third.
A hidden sprinkler popped up—SPURT! Marmalade leaped onto a stump as water sprayed everywhere. The butterfly fluttered toward the flowers.
Marmalade climbed down from the stump. Water dripped from the leaves and whiskers. The butterfly waited among the flowers.
Marmalade followed the butterfly through the flowers. Bees buzzed. Leaves rustled. Every path seemed to lead somewhere new.
The butterfly settled on Marmalade’s orange fur. Marmalade sat very still. Then came a soft, steady purr as garden friends gathered nearby.