Deep inside an old garden hedge lay a cozy village. Mossy paths wound between tiny doors and burrow homes.
Milo leaped over acorn caps like dragon barriers. He challenged beetles to races and swashed his grass sword.
A tiny peep stopped him cold. A yellow chick stood wobbling in the square, lost and wide-eyed.
Milo marched forward bravely and offered the chick a dandelion stem as a walking stick. But the chick tripped over a root and drooped its wings.
They tried again with a smooth blue berry as a guide. But the chick lagged behind, and Milo saw the wide meadow beyond the hedge.
A hawk shadow swept across the meadow. The chick froze, trembling so hard its feathers rattled.
Milo didn't run. He wrapped his cape around the chick and carried it through the dark hedge tunnels.
They emerged into the open meadow safe and sound. The chick peeked out from the red cape.
An enormous hen stood at the meadow's edge. She bowed her head to Milo while the chick nuzzled his paw.
Milo tucked the sunflower seed into his pocket and marched back through the hedge village, standing a little taller.