Pip and the Lost Whistle

Pip had a little silver whistle.

Every morning, Pip blew the whistle — tweeeet! — and all his friends came running. That was the sound for "Time to play!"

But one morning, Pip patted his pockets. He looked under his leaf hat. He looked behind his ears (Pip has very small ears).

The whistle was GONE.

"Oh no, oh no," said Pip. "No whistle, no playtime!"

"Don't worry," said Banana-Man. "Friends help friends look. Let's walk through your whole morning, one step at a time."

First, they went to the garden. "I watered the tomatoes," said Pip. They looked under every leaf. No whistle — but they found a very surprised ladybug.

Next, they went to the market. "I bought a tiny loaf of bread," said Pip. They looked behind the oranges. No whistle — but Mr. Mango gave everyone a strawberry for the road.

Then they went to the bakery. "Mmm," said Baby Melon, sniffing the warm air. "It smells like cinnamon." They looked under the cookie trays. No whistle — just crumbs.

Pip sat down on the step. "It's really lost," he said in his smallest voice.

Little Cherry sat beside him. "Pip," she said, "when did you hear it last?"

Pip thought. "This morning! I blew it to say good morning to the sun, and then I put it somewhere safe…"

Pip jumped up. He took off his leaf hat.

And there it was — tucked safely under his hat, right where he had put it!

"MY WHISTLE!" Pip cheered. TWEEEET! He blew the happiest tweet in Fruitville history.

All his friends came running, and playtime began — with extra dancing, because finding something lost is the best reason to dance.

"Thank you for helping me look," said Pip.

"That's what friends are for," said Banana-Man. "And Pip — your safe place was very safe indeed."

The End. 🌱