Happy Belly, Sleepy Head
Bubbles was a white, fluffy cat with one blue eye and one green eye—like two tiny jewels that sparkled in the light.
Every time Bubbles finished a meal, he’d find a cozy spot, curl into a ball, and drift into the most magical dreams.
One sunny afternoon, Bubbles sat on the porch, the warm light wrapping around him like a hug. A soft breeze ruffled his fur as he gobbled up a big bowl of tuna—his favorite treat in the whole world.
He licked his whiskers clean and let out a tiny burp.
Buuurp.
Then came the yawn. A big, slow, satisfied yawn.
“Oh, so sleepy,” he murmured.
His tummy felt round and happy. His paws tucked beneath him. His eyes blinked once, twice… then closed.
And just like that, the dreaming began.
Bubbles dreamed and dreamed...
And found himself floating through outer space!
The stars twinkled all around him like glitter, and the moon looked soft enough to nap on.
A jellybean-shaped spaceship zipped by, and out popped a friendly alien named Twinkle—round and purple, with three sparkly eyes and fuzzy slippers on all six feet.
“Snack?” Twinkle offered, holding out a puffy, glowing treat.
Bubbles took a bite—it was warm and sweet, like cotton candy that fizzled on his tongue.
They bounced from star to star, giggling and spinning, their paws leaving tiny trails of stardust in the dark.
Bubbles dreamed and dreamed...
And landed beneath cherry blossoms in Japan.
Pink petals floated through the air like tiny paper hearts. One landed on his nose, making him sneeze a tiny “meep!”
He wore a bright red kimono with golden fish swimming along the edges, and sat on a soft mat beside a wise old turtle named Sage.
They sipped warm tea from tiny cups painted with flowers. The tea smelled like honey and springtime.
Sage played a little wooden flute while Bubbles watched the petals fall, feeling the breeze ruffle his fur.
Bubbles dreamed and dreamed...
And sailed across a sparkling sea!
He stood tall on a little sailboat, its white sails puffed up like clouds. The ocean shimmered like a giant sapphire, and dolphins leapt beside the boat with happy splashes.
Around his neck was a flower lei, bright as sunshine, and beside him stood a seagull named Salty, wearing sunglasses and a captain’s hat.
“Meow, I’m the captain!” Bubbles cheered, gripping the wooden wheel with both paws.
They reached a sunny beach where Bubbles tried surfing on a tiny blue board. The waves were big, and the spray tickled his nose as he zipped across the water.
A sea turtle clapped its flippers and did a little spin in the sand.
Bubbles plopped into a pile of soft, warm towels and smiled.
Slowly, the dreams began to fade…
The stars, the petals, the ocean—they all melted into soft, golden light.
Bubbles blinked his eyes open and stretched his paws.
He wasn’t floating or sailing anymore.
He was curled up in his mom’s lap.
Her arms were warm and soft, and her hand gently stroked his fur.
The sun was setting, painting the room in a cozy glow. Everything was quiet. Everything was safe.
She looked down at him and smiled.
“Where will you go in your dreams next, my sweet boy?”
Bubbles looked up at her, his eyes sleepy and full of love. And in that moment, he knew:
He didn’t need stars or blossoms or waves to feel happy.
His favorite place of all... was right here.
She kissed the top of his head.
“I love you, sleepy head.”
And Bubbles purred, his happy belly rising and falling,
as he drifted into the best dream of all—
being home,
being loved,
just as he is.