(I did not create any images used here)
That morning, just like every other, Coella woke up with a smile on her face. She leapt out of bed and bounced down to breakfast, where her mother, Mrs. Snuffles, had just set down a plate of fresh blueberry pancakes.
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Now, you see, Mrs. Snuffles was a god when it came to pancakes. She had no secret recipe, simply a knack, and a knowledge of what people loved best. That is why Coella wolfed down her pancakes as fast as she could and raced outside, leaving Mr. and Mrs. Snuffles to their breakfast.
She knew exactly what she was going to do today; Her best friends, Sofie the otter and Sunshine the hedgehog were meeting her at the park. It was a marvelous day and Sunshine had promised to bring fresh strawberries from her family's farm.
When she got to the park, Sofie was happily swinging on the swings. But Sunshine was nowhere in sight. That's odd, Coella thought to herself. Sunshine never deprives us of strawberries.
When she got close enough, Coella asked, "Have you seen Sunshine?"
Sofie shook her head. "Usually, she's the first one here. We'd better check on her."
Coella nodded. She helped Sofie of the swings, and together they walked to Sunshine's house, stopping occasionally to rescue worms that had ventured out during the rain last night.
When they arrived, they didn't go up to the front door, but instead went around the side of the house, where Sofie knocked on Sunshine's window. Sunshine opened the blind and pulled on her giant glasses.
"What are you doing?!" Coella asked. She really wanted strawberries. "You were supposed to meet us at the park!"
"I know!" Sunshine moaned. "I'm really sorry, guys. I got a cold!"
"That's a shame, but you can still come and play!"said Sofie. She too had been looking forward to the scrumptious berries.
Sunshine shook her head. "Sickness is no joke. When people get sick, they have to make sure not to infect others, and others, in turn, have to make sure not to get infected. Mother can give you the strawberries, but I have to rest. Don't worry, I'll be able to come out and play in no time!"
The two looked at each other, then nodded.
"Okay." Sofie said.
"Hope you feel better!" added Coella. Sunshine smiled and waved.
