Cinder the little fox wanted to play. He wore his blue ninja mask and carried his wooden sword. He saw his friend, Shellie the turtle, hiding deep inside her green home. "Wake up, Shellie!" he barked.
Shellie did not come out. She was feeling very quiet and sad. Cinder wanted to see her face. He started his dance. Swish, swish, wiggle! He moved his white-tipped tail in the soft, green grass.
Cinder did a little jump. Boing, boing, boing! He tapped his wooden sword on the ground. Tap-tap-tap! He sang a happy song. Swish, swish, wiggle! The garden flowers nodded as the fox danced around.
Inside the shell, Shellie heard the funny sounds. She heard the soft thud of Cinder’s paws. Swish, swish, wiggle! She saw a flash of orange fur and a white swirl. She felt a tiny smile growing.
Shellie peeked one eye out. Cinder did a big, silly spin. He wiggled his ears and shook his bushy tail. Swish, swish, wiggle! Shellie let out a tiny giggle. "Hee-hee!" she laughed, coming out to play.
Cinder and Shellie bumped noses in the sun. They were both very happy now. The fox and the turtle played all day in the garden. Swish, swish, wiggle! It was a very good day for friends.