One autumn day after school, in the Belleville neighborhood of Paris, Madeline skipped to the park. She was delighted to discover a duo of friendly animals.

A big ol’ puppy, golden, with floppy ears like mud flaps, wanted to play. That is all he hungered for: his worn out tennis ball tossed afar so that he could chase it, chew it.

A lil’ cat, smoky grey, with white toes and a fluffy belly, wanted the ribbon on Madeline’s hat that fluttered like black butterfly wings in the windy breeze.

Together, they all ran around, hollering, kicking up the orange and yellow leaf.

Madeline spotted a folded piece of paper peeking upward from the blades of grass. When she unfolded it, the paper revealed a heart shape. There was a handwritten note in the center of the paper: “Happy Birthday!”

She put it into her pocket and threw the ball as far as she could. The puppy dog chased after it.

^{Copyright© | B.Meddlesome | 10 APR 2008}