Zizz reached up — but the green balloon string slipped through his fingers. Whoosh! It shot upward into the sky.
Zizz scrambled after it, purple feet pattering against the moss. The balloon drifted over the edge of the glowing forest.
A tall spotted monster tapped a glowing mushroom. It pointed east. Zizz followed the light.
Zizz trotted along the glowing path. His tail swished behind him. Pop... pop went the balloon in the leaves above.
The forest opened onto candy-colored hills. A round striped monster rolled a giant lollipop forward to show the way.
Zizz hopped from gumdrop to gumdrop. His breath came fast. The balloon was so high now.
Zizz reached the tallest hill and stretched up — but the string slipped right through his tiny fingers.
The balloon floated higher until it was just a green dot. Zizz stood very still. Then he let out a loud, surprised laugh.
A small blue monster with curly antennae waddled up. "Here," it said, offering a leaf-wrapped snack.
Zizz took the snack and sat down. "Thanks," he thought.
They watched the green dot disappear into the clouds together.
Zizz smiled. It was okay. The balloon could go anywhere.