On a warm spring day in a quaint garden Samuel P. Chirpings, a young sparrow, went out for a walk. Sammy P. would have loved to fly. But because of his impaired wing, he could only get a few feet off the ground, and only for a few seconds. Sammy P flitted around the garden as best he could. He smelled the lilacs and roses. He saw the bright red tomatoes on the vine, and he pecked at the green peppers.

When suddenly he stumbled upon something he had never seen before. It was light green and verrry prickly. This frightened him. He tried his hardest to fly away. But sadly, Sammy P. could not get off the ground high enough or far enough. In fact, his attempt brought him closer to what scared him. He tried to run, but he tripped on the cobblestones in the garden.

Sammy P. fell right into the scary object! Smash! “Ouch!” cried Sammy P. He stumbled back with a whimper. Sammy P was frightened, but brave. He didn’t know if he should fight this unknown creature or continue to run. He decided he better make a run for it. He had no idea what this thing was capable of.

While making his hasty getaway, Sammy P. bumped into Shelbert Boxy, the old and wise box turtle that lived in the garden. “Samuel P. Chirpings,” Shelbert exclaimed, “where are you off to running like that?” “I’m running away from that scary creature!” he yelled. “It’s out to get me. Look!” and Sammy P showed Shelbert the prick marks. 

“Sammy P, show me this thing you are running from,” Sherbert stated. Sammy P. timidly brought Shelbert over to what had pricked him.