Paws, Picnic, and a Little Adventure

**Sam's Big Day at the Park**

It was a bright, sunny morning. Petra and Leela were packing a picnic basket for a special trip to the park. Their puppy, Sam, bounced around the kitchen, his floppy brown ears flapping with every jump. "Are you ready for a big adventure, Sam?" Petra asked. Sam barked happily, wagging his tail.

At the park, the grass was green, the flowers were colorful, and there were so many exciting smells for Sam to sniff. Petra and Leela spread out a blanket under a shady tree. Sam dashed off to fetch his favorite red ball, his nose sniffing the air and his paws pattering on the ground.

"Go long, Sam!" Leela called as she threw the ball. Sam raced after it, his tail wagging like a flag. But suddenly, he stopped. A squirrel darted across the grass and up a tree. Sam tilted his head. Then, zoom! Off he went, chasing the squirrel, forgetting all about the ball—and the girls.

Petra looked up from the blanket. "Where's Sam?" she asked. Leela pointed to the spot where he had been, but Sam wasn’t there. "Oh no!" the girls said together.

"We have to find him," Petra said. They started looking for clues. Leela spotted Sam’s tiny paw prints in the dirt. "This way!" she said. Petra found his red ball near a bush. "He must have been here," she said.

Meanwhile, Sam had followed the squirrel to a quiet garden by the park. A kind old gardener with a sunhat and muddy gloves smiled at him. "Hello, little pup," the gardener said. "You look lost." Sam wagged his tail, as if to say, “Yes, I am!”

The gardener noticed Sam’s name tag. "Sam? Let’s find your family," he said kindly. He walked back toward the park with Sam trotting by his side.

Just then, Petra and Leela saw Sam. "Sam!" they shouted, running to him. Sam barked joyfully and jumped into their arms.

"Thank you!" Leela told the gardener. The girls hugged Sam tightly. "We’re so glad to have you back," Petra said.

As they walked home, Sam stayed close, his tail wagging happily. The girls smiled. It had been an exciting day, and they had learned something important: adventures are always better when everyone sticks together.