Beside a winding forest path, Fennel found a basket of treats resting under a cloth.
A little note peeked out from under the cloth. It was for grandmother. Fennel lifted the basket. “I’ll get this to grandmother before sunset.”
Fennel hurried along until a squirrel dropped acorns all over a ring of mushrooms.
Tap, tap, tap went the acorns in the grass. Fennel helped gather every last one.
The squirrel smiled and pointed the quicker path. Fennel picked up the basket and trotted on.
Around the bend, two ducklings peeped at a puddle too wide to cross.
Fennel laid flat sticks over the mud. The puddle smelled like wet earth.
The ducklings pattered across. Fennel carried the basket over last and laughed when one duckling saluted with a leaf stuck on its head.
At the edge of the trees, the cloth flipped open. A warm bun popped out of the basket and rolled down the path.
Fennel dashed after it through the golden light.
Thup! The bun bumped the cottage step just as grandmother opened the door.
Fennel handed over the basket. Then the squirrel and the ducklings appeared behind, chattering and peeping all at once.
Steam curled from the treats. Inside, Fennel shared a cozy snack with grandmother while the forest path grew dusky outside.
The little cottage glowed at the edge of the trees as evening settled over the winding path.
