Orson and the Wandering Blackberry

Page 1

Page 2

For his first winter sleep, Orson piled leaves into a bed. Pat, pat. Fluff, fluff. His round ears peeked over the heap; his short tail poked out behind. Then his last blackberry rolled into the very spot where his nose should go.

Page 3

Orson nudged the berry aside with one broad paw. Roll, roll! Back it came. He nudged it again. Roll, roll! Back again. "Perhaps you need a bed, too," said Orson. He made a tiny leaf pillow and set the berry on top.

Page 4

Orson curled around his little guest. His paws made a wall. His tail made a very small wall. Everything was snug until he wriggled. Plop! The berry slipped between his paws. "Stay, please," said Orson, already beginning a great big yawn.

Page 5

Orson looked under the leaves. He looked beside the pillow. He looked behind his very small tail. No berry! His yawn grew wider and wider. "Where did you go?" he asked. Then he lifted his paw to rub his eyes. There it was, stuck underneath!

Page 6

"Aha," said Orson. He popped the berry into his mouth. No more rolling. No more looking. He burrowed into the leaves until only his round ears showed. "Now we’re all tucked in," he told his tummy. His tummy answered: GURRRR-GLE! The leaves went fluff!