Russet chased a glowing butterfly deep into the forest. Past mossy stones and ferns he ran, his little paws clicking on roots.
The butterfly led him past patches he knew so well. But soon the familiar moss gave way to strange, towering trees.
The trail simply ended. Russet stopped. The trees around him were nothing like home.
"Hello?" he called. Only the wind answered, rustling the branches. Shadows stretched long and strange around him.
A great horned owl swooped down and landed on a low branch. "Little one, let me help you find your way home."
Russet followed behind as the owl flapped slowly through the trees. "Follow my wings," it called.
The owl landed on a warm stone and hooted three times. Russet waited, breath held.
Through the leaves came a flash of bright orange fur. Russet's family ran toward him!
Russet pushed past his family and ran to the owl. He bowed his head low.
The owl's feathers ruffled happily. A warm breeze carried the scent of pine through the trees.
Russet curled up beside his family under the tall trees. Home felt very close now.
High above, the owl watched over the forest. Then it flew off into the darkening trees.
