Kenji's Backyard Ninja Quest!

Kenji was a small ninja. He loved to run and jump, especially at Oma Lea and Opa Hiru's house. Today, he was on a secret mission in Oma Lea's art studio.

He peeked behind a big painting and saw something rolled up. It was an old, dusty scroll! Kenji carefully unrolled it.

"Oma Lea! Opa Hiru!" he called, his eyes wide. "Look what I found! Is it a secret ninja map?"

Oma Lea, with her kind smile, put on her glasses. Opa Hiru peered over her shoulder. The scroll showed their backyard, but with strange squiggles and a big "X."

"Hmm," said Opa Hiru, stroking his chin. "It looks like a treasure map!" Kenji's grey-blue eyes sparkled. An adventure!

"Where do we start?" Kenji asked, already thinking. "What does this drawing mean?" Oma Lea pointed to a small picture of a giant tree. "That looks like our big oak tree!" she said. "Maybe the first clue is there!"

Kenji led the way, running to the big oak tree. He looked up, down, and all around. "Where could a clue be hiding?" he wondered aloud.

Oma Lea pointed to a tiny birdhouse hanging high on a branch. "Maybe up there, little ninja?" Kenji, quick as a flash, climbed just high enough to peek inside the birdhouse.

"I found it!" he cheered. Inside was a tiny piece of paper. It had a drawing of a little shed with a smoking chimney. "That's Oma Lea's pottery shed!" Kenji declared, putting his hands on his hips. "The treasure must be there!"

They hurried to the pottery shed. Kenji carefully opened the door. Inside, on a shelf, was a small wooden box. He lifted the lid slowly.

"Wow!" Kenji gasped. The box was full of new colorful paints, shiny glitter, and soft clay. And right on top was a small pottery ninja star, made just for him! Oma Lea smiled. "A true ninja finds his own tools for new adventures!"