Bailey and the Pinecone Path

One bright, chilly morning, Bailey pulled on his big cosy coat and carried little Levi into the frosty, sunlit forest.

The sun sparkled on the puddles, and Bailey stomped splash, splash, splash while Levi giggled and wiggled his chubby little hands.

Then Bailey spotted something on the ground. A pinecone, and another, and another, all bumpy and brown and perfect for collecting.

Bailey filled the basket. One pinecone, two pinecones, three pinecones. He showed each one to Levi, who blinked his wide eyes with wonder.

On the walk home through the quiet forest, Bailey held his basket tight. Levi dozed softly, and the sun dipped low and golden between the trees.

That night, Bailey lay in his warm, soft bed, thinking of splashing puddles and bumpy pinecones. Slowly, slowly, his eyes closed.