Once upon a time, there was a little kitten named Mittens. She loved to explore her surroundings, and one sunny day, she wandered away from her house while her family was busy with their chores.
Mittens looked around and saw so many interesting things to play with. She chased after butterflies, rolled in the grass, and meowed at the birds up in the trees. But after a while, she realized that she had gone too far away from her home.
“Meow!” she cried, “Where is everybody?”
Just then, a kind old dog came up to her. “Don’t be frightened, little one,” said he. “Where is your home? I will help you find your way back.”
“I don’t know the way,” said Mittens with a tear in her eye, “and I don’t even know my name.” All of the running about had made poor Mittens so tired, and she sat down to rest.
“You poor little kitten,” said the dog. “What is your name?”
“Perhaps they call me Mittens,” said she. “I don’t really know. That is the name I heard them call just before I came out.”
“You may ride on my back if you like,” said the dog. “Now I will take you to your home, and I hope you will find your family well. But first I must go to see my friend Peter Pigeon. He may know the way to your house.”
So the dog took Mittens very gently on his back, and then off they started. Soon they came to Peter Pigeon, who sat on a tree.
“Where do you live, little Mittens?” asked the pigeon, when they had told him her trouble.
“I live at the end of the street where the fine gentleman lives, the one with so many flowers about the house,” said she.
“Then fly with me as I go, and I will soon show you the way home,” said Peter. Then away he flew, while Mittens and the dog ran along under the tree.
They soon came to the house where Mittens lived, and the dog said: “Good-by, little Mittens. Come and see me when you are able to do so.”
Once more Mittens trotted around the lovely flowers, and when she came to the kitchen door, what should she see but all her brothers and sisters and mamma kitten, just coming down the steps. They had been out on the lawn, where the lady of the house was teaching them some new tricks.
“Oh, there is our Mittens!” they cried, as they ran to her. So Mittens told them all of her adventure with the dog and the pigeon, and every one laughed and kissed her, and they all were happy together.
And ever after that day, Mittens would not wander too far away from her family.