Norman Gets Lost

In a tiny house in a tiny town lived a tiny dog named Norman.
Norman loved to play—if he could, he’d do it all day.
His house looked just like all the rest,
But inside his house lived a rabbit who was a pest.

This rabbit, named Toni—Toni Be-Bop Bologna—
Never played, not even a smidge,
And always had something snarky to say.

On a bright, sunny day, little Norman was at play,
Running and jumping and rolling away.
But Toni Be-Bop Bologna kept hopping in his way,
Grumbling, “Ugh! This is no way to spend the day!”

In the grassy green yard, safe inside, they would stay,
Watching the people who strolled  and walk away.
Talking and laughing, with games on display—
It looked like a perfectly wonderful day.

Norman would dash to the fence with delight,
Greeting each neighbor with barks full of might.
“Hey!” he would say, tail wagging with glee,
A tiny dog welcoming all he could see.

But this time, something felt different somehow...
Norman blinked twice and furrowed his brow.
The gate wasn’t latched—it stood open wide.
His curious paws crept closer outside.

With a curious sniff, Norman stretched out his nose,
Just past the spot where the wide gate rose.
His ears perked up, his tail gave a wag—
Adventure was calling (and boy, did it brag).

But just as he tiptoed one paw outside,
A voice from a distance cried:
“What would your owner say, if you ran off to play?”

Norman with a puff rolled his eyes and nervously said,
“I’m not afraid! Let’s venture ahead!”
But Toni Be-Bop Bologna gave a long, annoying sigh,
“Not me, my friend. I will just stay inside.

If you want to go, then off you scoot—
I’m not leaving my blanket or rabbit-sized loot.”

“Come on, Toni—are you more scared than me?
There’s adventure ahead—just come out and give it a try!”

Toni with a dramatic sigh looked at Norman and rolled his eyes.
“Adventure? Out there? You’re too small to try.
The world’s full of danger—you’re soft as a bun.
But fine… I’ll come too. This should be fun.”

So off they both went through the wobbly gate,
Into a world where excitement and adventure awaits.
Norman sniffed trees, and flowers, and bees,
While Toni hopped slowly, muttering, “Everywhere there is weeds?”

They passed a squirrel whose name was Earl,
Who laughed at Toni with a teasing twirl:
“Look! A rabbit who thinks he's a dog!”
Norman barked, “Stop that!”—then tripped on a log.

Toni sighed and with a roll his eyes.
“This is why I hate dogs… they can't even walk by a log.”

A few yards later, out came a cat.
She was all black—everyone called her Scat.
Scat gave a flick of her swishy long tail,
And showed Norman the length of each razor-sharp nails.

Toni groaned, “Norman, you’re silly—this cat’s up to no good!”
But Norman just wagged like a good puppy would.
Scat smiled sweetly and purred, “Here, take a sip—
Some water I’m sharing… from my fabulous top hat that does tricks.”

“Don’t trust that cat!” Toni shouted with a thump.
“That hat’s way too big—it’s a trap! Don’t be a chump!”

Norman leaned in and gave a small sniff with his nose...
Scat grinned wide, then with a flick of his tail—
SPLASH! The hat dumped water all over.  Norman and Toni were soaked to their tails!

Scat rolled on the ground, laughing and giggling about,
While water dripped off them—sloshing and wriggling around.

Toni curled his nose with a full-body groan.
“Ugh. Wet dog smell. I should’ve stayed home.”

Wet and annoyed, they wandered down the road,
Dripping and grumpy, in full soggy mode.
But Norman soon paused with a flick of his ear—
They’d reached the lake… his favorite spot near.

Norman told Toni,
“My owner and I walk here most days—
Sometimes once, sometimes twice, just us two strays.
We sniff, we sit, we chase the light...
It’s our special spot before we say goodnight.”

Toni blinked twice and let out a loud groan.
“Why would anyone walk when they’ve got a nice home?”

Norman and Toni sniffed along the shore,
When suddenly—quack!—ducks waddled in and moved by.
They splashed and played, not a single hi,
Just shuffled on past with a flap and a sigh.

Then came the last duck, tiny and sweet—
Her name was Guinevere, with bright orange feet.
She paused with a smile and said, “Hello there! Hi!
Want to play while we are all outside?”

Toni huffed, puffed, and grumbled out loud.
“Great. I’m wet, I’m cold… and now I smell just like a cow.”

Just then, Norman stopped right in his tracks.
He heard a faint voice calling from back.
“Norman! Norman! Come back home!” the sound—
Growing louder and louder it rose.

He knew that voice—it was her.
His owner. His person. His tail gave a stir.
“Where are you, pal?” she cried once more.
Norman stood frozen, ears perked in despair.

He turned to Toni with a worried sigh.
“She’s crying! Oh no! We’ve got to go home”
Then he grabbed Toni’s paw in a brave little flash—
And together they turned, and together they dashed.

Through fields and bushes, they raced with all might,
Passing Guinevere the duck (just a runt, half their height),
Scat the cat, and Earl the squirrel—
They zigged and they zagged through all the neighbors yards.

Around the last corner, with Toni midair,
Norman’s tail wagged wildly—his home was right there!
And just up ahead, in a tearful daze,
His owner stood searching, lost in a haze.

At last, they reached her—she dropped to her knees,
Wrapping them both in a hug, finally at ease.

Norman had learned, with his heart full of glee—
Adventure is great, but love is the key.