Chapter 1
Life on the 10th Floor
It is morning and Alice is getting ready for work. Alice is a very beautiful girl and she is also very sincere. She is kind and makes other people happy. She lives in an apartment on the 10th floor of Park Avenue in New York. It is very luxurious. There are fluffy white pillows and cute little pictures everywhere. There is a plush sofa and little television. But the thing Alice likes the most is playing with her pets, Guppy and Mitten. Guppy is a Golden Retriever, who is fearless and cute. He has a special ability too. It is that he can sniff the danger even if it is miles away. He is like a big plushie toy.
Mitten is a snow white kitten. Who is very fluffy. She likes to play with balls and yarn. But she has one weakness and this is MILK! That is all she ever thinks about! But everyone loves her a lot. Both Guppy and Mitten love Alice. Before Alice leaves for work, she gives Guppy her favorite biscuits and Mitten a bowl of creamy milk. No matter how much of a big bowl Alice gives to Mitten, it isn’t enough ever. She would often press her tiny pink nose against the window, dreaming of rivers of creamy, sweet milk.
Chapter 2
The Smell That Started It All
One sunny morning Guppy and Mitten were eating food. Once they were done, Guppy started chasing its tail while Mitten sat bored. Suddenly she leapt on to the window edge and twitched her nose. She caught a whiff that was familiar and very special. It was rich, it was creamy, it was irresistible! It could only mean one thing, and that is MILK!
Mitten quickly squeezed from the pet door and ran towards the lift. Guppy followed her. In no time she was out on the road. “Mitten.. Mitten..” barked Guppy running after Mitten down the street.
Chapter 3
The Chase Begins
Mitten is chasing the milk van and Guppy is chasing Mitten. It is a wild chase. They made their way through pedestrians, dodged a man walking his dogs, and barely missed a juggler juggling 4 balls at once. The juggler tempts Mitten at first, but she remembers the MILK and keeps running on. When Mitten increased her speed Guppy got worried and barked, “Wait for me Mitten.” Mitten heard it, but didn't stop, thinking about the MILK. The van turned again, this time onto a busy avenue filled with food carts and yellow taxis. But by the time they reached the corner… the van had vanished. And so had their sense of direction.
Mitten looked around. “Um… where are we?” Guppy wagged his tail nervously. “I think we’re lost…” They had never been this far from home. All around them were tall buildings, blinking signals, and the scent of pretzels, hot dogs, and… more milk! Guppy looked like his fearless manner had turned into fearful manner. And clearly Mitten was shaking with fear. Both of them were dead scared. They were missing Alice a lot. They thought about moments when Alice used to play with them. They were very worried.
Guppy said, “Don’t worry as long as we stick together we can find our way back to home.”
Chapter 5
Friends in Unknown Place
Walking worriedly they reached Central Park. It was late evening. There suddenly a stray dog came and said to them, “This place is not safe for pets at this hour of the day. You guys should go to the restaurant lane downtown looking for food. I have heard restaurant owners keep the leftover food for strays like salad, chicken, fish, and milk.” Cut everything you say “Milk” said Mitten. “O.. o…” said Guppy.
Mitten was already dashing towards the downtown and Guppy found himself once again chasing her. They found a restaurant that had kept leftovers at their gate. As expected, Mitten dashed towards the milk bowl and the feast began. Mitten licked even the last drop from the bowl. Guppy too ate heartily the chicken and fish left in the bowls. When they finished the food, they started walking again.
Chapter 6
Homeward Bound
A girl came to Guppy and Mittten and said “I think I’ve seen posters with your faces nearby!” Guppy thought, Sure enough, Alice had been putting up “Missing Pets” signs all over the neighborhood. You must return home today.”
Guppy and Mitten took a sigh of relief. The girl drove them in her car. They recognized the street and their happiness knew no bounds. Guppy and Mitten dashed through the lobby and ran towards the lift. Guppy jumped and pressed the 10th floor button in the lift and they were off. When they reached they dashed through the pet door. Alice busted with joy on seeing Guppy and Mitten. Guppy and Mitten hugged Alice. “I was so worried!” she cried. “No more chasing milk vans, okay?” Mitten purred. Guppy licked her cheek. They were finally home.
The Ends