Morning Mistakes

Paintbrush Mother Goat stood on the highest tower of Paintbrush Lodge, watching the sun paint the sky pink and orange. Her seven kids bounced around below, their small magic paintbrushes creating colorful sparks in the morning air.

"Mama, can we practice flying today?" called Daisy, the youngest.

Mother Goat smiled and summoned her giant blue paintbrush. It glowed brightly in her hands. "Let me show you how it's done first."

She stepped forward, paintbrush extended, and concentrated on the feeling of weightlessness. The brush hummed with magic, and suddenly her hooves left the stone floor. She rose into the air, spinning gracefully.

"Look at me go!" she laughed, swooping around the tower.

But her excitement got the better of her. She accelerated too quickly, lost control, and crashed straight through the lodge's window with a tremendous crash. Glass scattered everywhere as she tumbled across the floor, paintbrush clattering beside her.

Her kids rushed over. "Mama! Are you okay?"

Mother Goat sat up, shaking glass from her red kerchief. "Flying takes more practice than I thought."

The Watcher Behind the Oak

Mother Goat brushed glass shards from her blue and black dress and stood up carefully. Her seven kids clustered around her, their small paintbrushes flickering with worried colors.

"I'm fine, little ones," she said, adjusting her red kerchief. "But I think I need more space to practice."

She walked outside the lodge, her hooves crunching on fallen leaves. The morning air smelled fresh after yesterday's rain, and puddles dotted the courtyard like mirrors reflecting the sky.

"Maybe if I start lower," she muttered, summoning her giant blue paintbrush again.

From behind a large oak tree came a tremendous sneeze. "ACHOO!" The sound shook leaves from branches and sent ripples across every puddle.

Mother Goat jumped. "Who's there?"

A massive red dragon poked his head around the tree trunk, scales gleaming wetly. His golden eyes looked embarrassed. "Sorry! I didn't mean to startle you. I was just... watching."

The seven kids scrambled behind their mother, paintbrushes raised defensively.

"Don't hurt us!" squeaked Tommy, the smallest boy.

The dragon's face crumpled. "I would never hurt anyone. I just wanted to see someone else who crashes into things."