Morris Mouse's Puddle Adventure

The morning sun tickled Morris Mouse's whiskers. Today was a BIG day! Today was Morris's first ever delivery for Mrs. Higgins' Helpful Hampers. Mrs. Higgins, a kindly badger with spectacles perched on her nose, made the most scrumptious picnic hampers for everyone in Sunny Meadow.

Morris adjusted his tiny postman's hat. Inside his little cart, pulled by a very enthusiastic snail named Shelley, sat a miniature hamper. It was for Barnaby Badger, who lived at the top of Bramble Hill.

"Right, Shelley," Morris squeaked, "Bramble Hill, here we come!"

Shelley, leaving a shimmering trail of silvery goo, started off with a determined wobble. The journey began smoothly, past fields of daisies and buzzing bumblebees. But then... disaster!

A HUGE puddle, left by yesterday's rain, blocked their path. Morris gulped. He couldn't turn back! Barnaby Badger was expecting his hamper, filled with cheese sandwiches and raspberry jam tarts.

Morris tapped his chin. He thought hard. Then, his eyes lit up. "Shelley, can you climb?"

Shelley, surprisingly agile for a snail, nodded. Morris carefully steered the cart towards a large, flat leaf that had fallen from a nearby oak tree. He used the leaf as a ramp, guiding Shelley and the cart up, up, up, until they were safely balanced on top.

Then, carefully, very carefully, Morris pushed the leaf across the puddle, using a twig as a paddle. Shelley pulled with all her might, and slowly, slowly, they reached the other side!

Morris cheered. "We did it, Shelley!"

Finally, panting but triumphant, they arrived at Barnaby Badger's burrow. Barnaby, a very small badger himself, beamed when he saw the hamper.

"Just what I needed!" he exclaimed. He opened it to reveal the tiny sandwiches and tarts. "Thank you, Morris! You are a very helpful mouse."

Morris, his chest puffed with pride, smiled. His first delivery was a success! And he'd even conquered a puddle! He waved goodbye to Barnaby and, with Shelley pulling, headed back to Mrs. Higgins, ready for his next adventure.