Storybook Lane
Pepper and the Runaway Moon
Ages 3–5
Pepper the cat cannot resist Tavi’s homemade rocket. One tiny peek becomes a pretend launch—and one flick
of Pepper’s tail sends the rocket’s paper moon sailing across the garden. Soon Pepper, Tavi, the wind, and one
very sneezy dog are caught in a moon-chasing adventure.
Page 1 of 12
Pepper was a cat who liked to know things.
What was inside the cupboard?
What was under the sofa?
What was behind the bathroom door?
And most important—
what was inside the big silver rocket in the garden?
Page 2 of 12
The rocket belonged to Tavi.
It was made from a giant cardboard box.
It had buttons drawn in crayon.
It had a round window.
And on top sat a bright yellow paper moon.
“Ready for launch!” said Tavi.
Pepper’s ears popped up.
Page 3 of 12
Tavi went inside to fetch his space helmet.
Pepper went inside the rocket.
Just to look.
Just for one tiny peek.
She sniffed the buttons.
She sniffed the window.
She curled up on the soft blanket.
Prrrrrrrrr.
Page 4 of 12
When Tavi came back, Pepper was fast asleep.
He smiled.
“Captain Pepper.”
He climbed in beside her.
“Three... two... one...”
WHOOSH!
Tavi rocked the box.
Pepper woke up.
Her eyes went WIDE.
Page 5 of 12
Tavi made star sounds.
“Ping! Poom! Zooooom!”
Pepper pounced on a paper star.
She batted another.
She chased a silver ribbon.
Then her tail flicked—
FLIP!
The yellow paper moon flew off the rocket.
Page 6 of 12
The moon sailed across the garden.
Over the daisies.
Past the sandbox.
Under the picnic table.
Pepper leaped out.
Tavi leaped out.
“Our moon!” cried Tavi.
Pepper’s tail puffed.
The chase was on.
Page 7 of 12
The wind rolled the moon across the grass.
Pepper chased it.
Pounce!
The moon bounced away.
Pepper chased again.
Pounce!
Away it went.
Pounce!
Away!
Pounce!
Away!
Tavi ran behind, laughing.
Page 8 of 12
Then the moon slipped through the hedge.
Pepper stopped.
Tavi stopped.
On the other side was Mrs. Puddle’s garden.
And Mrs. Puddle’s very fluffy dog.
Bumble.
Bumble looked at Pepper.
Pepper looked at Bumble.
The moon sat between them.
Page 9 of 12
Bumble wagged.
Pepper crouched.
Bumble wagged harder.
Pepper crouched lower.
Then Bumble sneezed.
“AH-CHOO!”
The moon jumped into the air.
Pepper jumped too.
PLOP!
The moon landed on Pepper’s head.
Page 10 of 12
Pepper froze.
The yellow moon covered one ear.
Tavi giggled.
Bumble sat down.
Pepper took one careful step.
Then another.
She carried the moon all the way back through the hedge.
Very slowly.
Very proudly.
Page 11 of 12
Tavi fixed the moon on top of the rocket.
“Captain Pepper saved the moon!”
Pepper washed one paw.
Captains had standards.
Tavi climbed back inside.
Pepper climbed in too.
“Three... two... one...”
WHOOSH!
Page 12 of 12
That evening, Pepper sat at the window.
A big white moon hung in the sky.
Pepper stared at it.
She looked at Tavi.
She looked back at the moon.
Then she put one paw firmly on the windowsill.
Tavi laughed.
“No, Captain Pepper.
That moon can stay exactly where it is.”
Pepper and the Runaway Moon
The End
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