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Morning sunlight streams through the window of Little Papa’s bedroom onto his small bed. Little Papa stands on the mattress grinning up at Gammy who smiles warmly in the doorway.
Little Papa woke up with a big smile. Today was his birthday! He was four years old now. Gammy came into his room with a sparkle in her eye. "Good morning, birthday boy!" she said. "I have a special surprise for you today." Little Papa jumped up and down. "What is it, Gammy?" he asked. Gammy laughed. "We're going to the pet store to find you a very first pet!" Little Papa couldn't believe it. His own pet! This was the best birthday ever.
In the bright entryway, Mother kneels to tie Little Papa’s shoes as Father stands behind, smiling and ruffling his hair. Morning light floods through the open front door, casting soft shadows across the floor.
Little Papa put on his favorite blue shirt. Mother helped him tie his shoes. "Have fun with Gammy," Mother said with a hug. Father ruffled Little Papa's hair. "Choose wisely, little man," he said with a smile. Blyane gave him a high five. "That's so cool, Little Papa!" Gammy took his hand. "Ready for our adventure?" she asked. "Ready!" Little Papa shouted. They waved goodbye and headed out the door. The pet store was waiting.
Inside the brightly lit pet store aisle, Little Papa grips Gammy’s hand, eyes wide at rows of aquariums and animal cages. Fluorescent ceiling lights gleam off glass tanks while birdsong and squeaks fill the air.
The pet store was big and bright. Little Papa held Gammy's hand tight. There were sounds everywhere—chirps, squeaks, and barks! "Where should we start?" Gammy asked. Little Papa's eyes grew wide. He saw tanks with fish swimming in circles. He saw cages with furry animals climbing and playing. "I want to see everything!" he said. Gammy smiled. "Then everything we shall see," she said. They walked toward the first aisle together. The adventure was beginning!
Under cool fluorescent lights in the pet store’s fish section, Little Papa and Gammy lean toward a glass tank where a blue Betta Fish glides past. The fish’s ribbon-like fins shimmer as Little Papa points excitedly, mouth open in amazement.
They stopped at a tank full of colorful fish. "Look at that blue one!" Little Papa pointed. A Betta Fish swam gracefully by. Its fins flowed like ribbons. "He's beautiful," Gammy said. The Betta Fish seemed to look right at Little Papa. It did a little spin. "I think he likes you," Gammy whispered. Little Papa giggled. "He's so pretty, Gammy." The fish swam in circles again. "Should this be your pet?" Gammy asked. Little Papa thought hard. "Maybe. But let's see more first!"
In the pet store’s bunny pen, Little Papa crouches while a floppy-eared bunny with a wiggly nose sniffs his outstretched hand. Warm overhead lights soften the scene as Gammy watches, laughing quietly beside the enclosure.
Next, they found soft bunnies hopping around. One bunny had floppy ears and a wiggly nose. It hopped right up to Little Papa. "He wants to say hello!" Gammy said. Little Papa reached out carefully. The bunny sniffed his hand. Its nose tickled! Little Papa laughed and laughed. "He's so fluffy, Gammy!" The bunny hopped in a circle. "Bunnies are playful friends," Gammy explained. Little Papa petted its soft fur. "I like him a lot," he said. But there was still more to see.
In the brightly lit bird section, Little Papa stands before a tall cage, greeting a bright yellow bird perched near the bars. Gammy smiles behind him as the bird chirps, wings half-raised in mid-song.
Colorful birds chirped in tall cages. "Tweet, tweet!" they sang. Little Papa watched them hop from perch to perch. A yellow bird tilted its head at him. "Hello, birdie!" Little Papa said. The bird chirped back loudly. Gammy laughed. "I think he's talking to you!" A green bird flapped its wings. Little Papa clapped his hands. "They're so loud and happy!" he said. Gammy nodded. "Birds sing beautiful songs every day." Little Papa listened to their cheerful music. It made him smile big.
In the brightly lit hamster section, Little Papa presses both palms to the glass, staring at a tiny hamster with overstuffed cheeks beside its spinning wheel. Gammy chuckles behind him while another hamster descends a clear tube overhead.
In a glass home, tiny hamsters ran on wheels. Round and round they went! "Look how fast they run, Gammy!" Little Papa said. One hamster stuffed its cheeks with food. It looked so funny! Little Papa giggled. "He's saving snacks for later," Gammy explained. Another hamster climbed a little ladder. Then it slid down a tube. "They're like tiny acrobats," Little Papa said. Gammy agreed. The hamsters were busy and playful. "They're cute," Little Papa said. "But let's keep looking." Gammy squeezed his hand.
In the pet store’s puppy enclosure, a light brown fluffy Puppy stands on hind legs, paws against the glass, meeting Little Papa’s delighted gaze. Bright ceiling lights sparkle in the puppy’s eyes as Gammy opens the gate nearby.
Then Little Papa heard a sound. "Yip! Yip!" It came from around the corner. They walked over and saw puppies! One light brown fluffy puppy jumped against the glass. It wagged its tail so fast. "Gammy, look at that one!" Little Papa shouted. The Golden Retriever puppy had the sweetest eyes. It pressed its nose to the glass. "He wants to meet you," Gammy said softly. Little Papa's heart felt warm. "Can I hold him?" The store worker opened the gate. The puppy ran right to Little Papa.
Inside the pet store’s cozy meet-and-greet pen, Little Papa sits cross-legged on the tiled floor while the light brown fluffy Puppy licks his laughing face. Gammy kneels beside them under warm spotlights as Little Papa rubs the puppy’s exposed belly.
The puppy licked Little Papa's face. Little Papa laughed so hard! The puppy wiggled and wagged. It rolled over on its back. "He wants you to rub his belly," Gammy said. Little Papa rubbed the soft fur. The puppy's tail wagged even faster. "I think he loves you already," Gammy whispered. Little Papa hugged the puppy gently. The puppy snuggled close. "He's so warm and soft, Gammy." His heart felt full of joy. "Is this the one?" Gammy asked with a knowing smile.
Near the pet store’s adoption counter, Little Papa cradles the light brown fluffy Puppy against his chest, gazing earnestly up at Gammy beneath bright fluorescent lights. The puppy’s tail curls mid-wag while Gammy smiles, eyes sparkling with approval.
Little Papa thought about all the animals. The beautiful Betta Fish. The fluffy bunny. The singing birds. The busy hamsters. They were all wonderful. But the puppy made him feel something special. "Gammy, I choose the puppy!" he said. Gammy's eyes sparkled with happiness. "I thought you might," she said. The puppy barked happily. It was like he understood! "A puppy is a big responsibility," Gammy reminded him. Little Papa nodded seriously. "I'll take good care of him. I promise!" Gammy hugged him tight.
Afternoon light streams through car windows as Little Papa rides in the backseat, holding a red squeaky ball while the light brown fluffy Puppy peeks from a carrier beside him. Gammy smiles back from the driver’s seat.
They got everything the puppy needed. A soft bed, food, and toys. Little Papa carried a squeaky ball. The puppy rode in a carrier, peeking out. On the way home, Little Papa talked to his new friend. "I'm going to name you Sunny," he said. The puppy yipped. "I think he likes it!" Gammy said. Little Papa couldn't stop smiling. "This is the best birthday ever, Gammy." Gammy kissed his forehead. "You're going to be a wonderful pet owner, Little Papa." His heart was so happy.
In the softly lit living-room, the light brown fluffy Puppy yawns and curls into a plush bed while Little Papa sits cross-legged beside, stroking its fur. Mother smiles from the nearby couch under the warm glow of a floor lamp.
Mother, Father, and Blyane waited at home. "You got a puppy!" Blyane shouted. Sunny wagged his tail at everyone. Father petted him gently. "Good choice, son." Mother smiled. "He's adorable!" Little Papa showed Sunny his new bed. Sunny sniffed everything curiously. Then he curled up and yawned. "He's tired from his big day," Gammy said. Little Papa sat beside Sunny. "I'll always take care of you, Sunny." The puppy licked his hand. It was the start of a beautiful friendship. Happy birthday, Little Papa!