A Rumble from Below

Deep inside Mount Blowhard, red-hot lava bubbled and churned. The volcano had been quiet for months, but today felt different. Steam hissed from cracks in the rocky walls.

"GRUMBLE!" The mountain shook.

A pocket of gas swirled near the lava's surface. It spun faster and faster, gathering heat and pressure. Suddenly, the gas burst free with a mighty "POOF!"

But something magical happened. Instead of disappearing like normal gas, this cloud began to shimmer. Two big, kind eyes appeared, followed by rosy cheeks and a tiny smile.

"Oh my!" said the little pale-green cloud, looking around in wonder. "Where am I?"

He floated up through the volcano's tunnel, his wispy tail trailing behind him. Everything felt new and exciting.

A Windy Welcome

As Farty floated up through the volcano's tunnel, bright sunlight suddenly hit his pale-green puff. He squinted his big eyes.

"Whoa!" he gasped, popping out of Mount Blowhard's crater.

Below him stretched a snowy hill dotted with tiny houses. A sparrow perched on a nearby pine tree chirped at him.

"Hello there!" Farty called out cheerfully.

The sparrow took one look at the strange green cloud and flew away fast. Farty's smile drooped.

"Wait! I'm friendly!" But the bird was already gone.

Farty drifted down toward the snowy village. Maybe someone there would want to be his friend. As he floated closer, he accidentally let out a small puff of gas.

"Oops," he giggled, not knowing what trouble that little toot would cause.