Muffin's Adventure in the Space Jungle (Chapter 1)

[The following story is dedicated to all the children who took part in the Summer Reading Challenge 2010]

Once upon a time, not so long ago, there lived an orange haired cat called Muffin. But Muffin was no ordinary cat… she was a space cat! Muffin loved walking around the space jungle looking for leaves to eat – yes she ate leaves, as that is what space cats like to eat. The space jungle was one of the greenest parts of ‘Um’ – a beautiful planet far, far away in outer space.

Most days Muffin would do the same things, she would wake up, have a stretch then go out looking for some nice juicy green leaves to eat. But this day (the day this story is all about) was going to be no ordinary day for Muffin. You see, she spotted a rather large tree with some very nice looking green leaves upon it.

‘Mmm, look at those juicy leaves’ Muffin purred. ‘I can’t wait to get my teeth into those!’ Before she knew it Muffin had climbed all the way to the top of the tree and reached out to pull a leaf from the branch she first spotted. 

‘Ooh, what a tasty leaf!’ Her teeth sunk into the juicy snack and Muffin was feeling nice and relaxed. That was until she turned around and looked behind her.

‘AAAAAARRRHHHHHHH!!!!’ screamed Muffin as she jumped and threw her leaf in the air. ‘IT’S HORRIBLE!!’ she shouted. There behind her was the ugliest, wriggliest, slimiest… worm! Yes, it was a little worm. It may not sound scary to you, but Muffin was very scared of worms. She quickly descended the tree and ran until she felt she was a safe enough distance from the squirmy creature.

‘Phew! I think I’m far enough away now. What a horrible creature. Who’d have thought I’d have such a terrible day – seeing a worm like that. Well I never!’

If only Muffin knew what lay ahead of her that day, she would not have worried about a tiny little worm.

[Chapter 2]