Brave Little Paws: Koi’s Backyard Adventure

**Koi Fish’s Big Backyard Adventure**

Koi Fish, the calico kitten, stretched out on the warm windowsill, her soft fur shining in the sunlight. She peeked through the big glass door and saw something that made her little heart flutter—a world full of green grass, colorful flowers, and tall trees swaying in the breeze.

It was the backyard.

Koi had never been outside before. It looked so big and full of strange sights and sounds. Birds chirped, leaves rustled, and somewhere, far off, a dog barked. She flicked her tail nervously.

“You can do it, Koi!” Dot said, crouching next to the glass door. Dot was her human brother. He always smelled like crayons and peanut butter, and Koi liked him best when he scratched behind her ears.

Pepper, the snake, watched from his tank on the counter. His smooth body rested in a neat coil. “Stick to your instincts,” Pepper hissed gently. “Kittens are clever and curious. You’ll be fine.”

Koi gave a tiny, uncertain meow. Then, with Dot sliding the door open just a crack, she took a brave step onto the wooden deck.

The grass felt tickly under her paws as she crept into the yard. Suddenly, a bright orange butterfly fluttered past her nose! Koi batted at it with her paw but missed. The butterfly wasn’t scary at all—it was fun!

She padded farther and found herself under a patch of tall, swaying flowers. They danced in the wind, bending this way and that. Koi froze, her ears twitching. Were the flowers… alive?

“It’s okay, Koi!” Dot called, clapping his hands.

Koi sniffed the flowers carefully. They smelled sweet, and they didn’t chase her. She purred with relief.

By the time Koi followed Dot back to the door, the backyard didn’t seem so big and scary anymore. It felt exciting—like her very own adventure land.

“I told you,” Pepper said with a slow smile. “You’re a clever kitten.”

Koi chirped proudly and curled up in Dot’s lap. Tomorrow, she thought, I’ll explore even more!