Five minute story of the dog Henry for early readers.
Henry loved camping trips. The smell of pine needles, chasing squirrels, the big floppy tent that was almost his own little houseโit was all perfectโright up until it wasn’t. A flash of white, a fluttering creature, and Henry bolted into the trees, his happy barks swallowed by the dense green.
Something squeezed his doggy heart as he ventured further into the forest and realized his family was nowhere in sight. But a brave Border Collie like him didn’t worry for long. Henry was from Firefly Farm, where every day was an adventure. He took a deep breath and stayed calm like his master, Farmer Bob, taught him, and decided he’d adventure his way back home.
Trotting along a forest path, the first voice he heard didn’t sound calm. “Scramble! Hide! They’re everywhere!” It was a squirrel stuffing tiny acorns into a pouch. Henry tilted his head. “Who’s everywhere?”
The squirrel stared at him, bushy tail twitching nervously. “Get smart, little dog!” it squeaked. “If you want to survive out here, you gotta learn what to eat and what might eat you!”

The squirrel, already scampering upwards, said, “Gotta stash! If you know what’s good for you, find a high hidey-hole!”
Henry followed, bounding up the thick roots of a tree until he sawโฆ nuts! Berries! He’d been too busy worrying to think about food. This squirrel might be nervous, but it was clever.
For a few days, the woods were Henry’s school. He learned that the scolding cry of angry crows meant a cat was near and to follow his nose to find a clear stream to drink from. But as the trees began thinning out, new sounds made his fur prickle—roaring sounds and a hard, unnatural smell under everything.
The forest gave way to rows of houses and the constant hum of cars and trucks that hurtled past in both directions on four lanes of blacktop. Henry was used to the sleepy dirt road at Firefly Farm.

A tabby cat sporting a torn ear sat atop a wall, watching with narrowed eyes. Henry crept closer. Maybe it knew how to cross this terrifying highway.
“Don’t be a pup!” the cat hissed. “Those monsters rule the road. You’ve got to find the gaps, see? Gonna get yourself squashed if you don’t learn quick.”ย ย
There was no warm friendship here, but Henry was desperate. “You know how to get across?โ The cat flicked its ragged ear. “Wait for a gap, then run like your tailโs on fire!โ
With renewed confidence, Henry and the catโits name was Scruffโwatched the busy roadway. “Now!” Scruff hissed, and Henry sprinted, the air whooshing by his ears. He reached the other side, tumbling into the weeds, his heart pounding. Scruff appeared unruffled, licking a paw. “Better lucky than smart, farm dog.”

As they ventured into the city, the changes were confusing to Henry. There was no earth, not much green, and too many sounds all at once. Henry pressed close to buildings, learning quickly which alleys hid scary dogs and which friendly old ladies might throw him some stale bread. Then, one morning, his ears twitched. Crying? It was not an animal cry; it was too high, too wobbly.
He rounded a corner and saw a little girl sitting alone, her sobs echoing off the hard walls. Henry wagged his tail, approaching gently. The girl gasped, tears stopping. Slowly, she reached out to touch his fur. Henry licked her hand, making her give a watery giggle.
“Are you lost too?” she sniffled. Henry gave her his best puppy smile. He wasn’t lost, not anymore. He was exactly where he needed to be.
Soon came different sounds, panicked voices shouting the girl’s name. Henry barked, happy and loud, leading them to where the girl sat, her hand now wrapped in his soft fur. The joy on their faces was familiar, a warm, relieved feeling he’d seen on Farmer Bob’s face when he found a lost lamb.

Henry gave a final lick to the girl’s hand, and then a thrill shot through himโsomething in the air, the smell of wood fire and distant mooing. Firefly Farm! With a joyful bark, he took off, not looking back. He’d learned his way, and now it was time to go home.
Home.
Bursting through the trees, he was met by a whirlwind of worried shouts and delighted yelps. Hands scooped him up, voices murmuring his name. Exhausted but triumphant, Henry sank into a pile of blankets with a sigh.

He’d faced the forest, conquered the city, and even helped another lost creature find its way. And while he’d grown fond of the chattering squirrel and even the grizzled tabby cat he’d met along the way, being home was the sweetest adventure of all. And now, a long nap was the adventure he wanted most!
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