Because they didn’t ordinarily see him in the early mornings, everyone assumed Old Possum was a late riser.

But he was, in fact, usually awake long before everyone else.

His non-winter habit was to arise in the cricket-darkness, don his fluffy bathrobe (to guard against the chill) and take a cup of coffee outside, where he marveled at each morning’s light show. First came pale smudges of light in the eastern sky, then wispy streaks of pink clouds … all accompanied by a concert from a multitude of exuberant songbirds.

And then, before anyone else was up: back to bed.

(Early June 2024)

Story © Jennifer Singleton / Read+Purr

This is another cozy Tiny Garden Story in my ongoing series: peaceful 100-word tales that let you read like a kid again. Click one of the first two buttons below to go to (or back to, if that’s where you fell down the rabbit hole) either the “Public Garden” archive page or (if you’re a Story Club member) to the members-only “Private Garden” page. Or click the third button to learn more about my Tiny Garden Stories.

If you’re new to Tiny Garden Story-land and would like 10 days’ worth of stories from our first year, visit ReadPurrNewsletter.com.