Prissy was six weeks old when she came to live with her human mom and dad. Her family loved her from the first day they met her. She has three brothers, Pete, Hobo, and Tigger, and one sister, Speckles.

One beautiful day, the sun was shining and a warm wind was blowing. Prissy, Pete, Speckles, and Tigger decided to go sit on the sidewalk. Once outside, Prissy saw Hobo lying near Dad's car, which was parked in the driveway.

Mom came out of the house, singing, "Oh, what a beautiful morning. Oh, what a wonderful day." She continued singing while sweeping the leaves off the porch and the front steps with a broom.

"Today is my birthday!" Prissy shouted.

To Prissy's surprise, Mom, Pete, Speckles, Tigger, and Hobo began singing, "Happy birthday to you. Happy birthday to you. Happy birthday, dear Prissy. Happy birthday to you!"

Then, instead of the broom, Mom was holding a cake with twelve candles. The cake was made with Prissy's favorite cat food. Prissy took a deep breath, puckered her lips, and blew out all twelve candles. Mom cut everyone a piece.

"Thank you all for remembering my birthday!" Prissy said with delight, as Speckles and Tigger went into the house with Mom. "I want to celebrate my birthday in a special way," Prissy told Pete. "Now that I am twelve years old, I am ready to go exploring with you. Do you want to go with us, Hobo?"

"No," Hobo said as he crawled under Dad's car to get out of the sun and wind. "I am ready for another nap after eating a piece of your birthday cake."

"It's just you and me, Prissy! Where would you like to go?" Pete asked.

"Hmmm ... I don't know. Hey, we can jump over the fence in the backyard! We haven't seen or talked to our friends in a long time, and I would like to see them again. And maybe we'll meet some new friends today!"

"This is going to be a great day," Pete shouted. "Let's go!"

Prissy and Pete went into the backyard and jumped to the top of the fence and then down to the ground on the other side.

"Which way do you want to go, Prissy?" Pete asked.

"I don't know. But look over there," Prissy said. "I see Myrtle the possum with her babies Walter, Maxine, Sophie, Sonny, and Buddy."

"Myrtle, how are you?" Pete asked.

"Oh, I am quite tired today," said Myrtle. "My babies require so much of my time and energy. They are only two weeks old, and all they want to do is eat and play. I cannot leave them alone for two minutes. I did not wear my watch today, but it must be time to eat lunch. My stomach feels empty, and it is starting to rumble. I need to eat some food to keep up with my babies."

"Prissy and I will look after Walter, Maxine, Sophie, Sonny, and Buddy for you while you go eat lunch."

"You will?" Myrtle asked. "Thank you both!"

Soon, Myrtle was back, feeling a whole lot better. Pete and Prissy waved good-bye to Myrtle, Walter, Maxine, Sophie, Sonny, and Buddy.

The sun was shining brighter by now, and the temperature was getting hot, much hotter than it was that morning. Pete and Prissy decided to go lie down on the grass under a tree.

Prissy was just about to close her eyes when she looked up and saw a raccoon sitting on a big branch in the tree.

"What is your name?" Prissy asked.

"My name is Max," he replied. "What is your name, and who is your friend?"

"My name is Prissy. This is my brother, Pete."

"Max, how is the weather up there?" Pete asked.

"Hot, hot, hot!" Max said.

"Would you like to come down and talk to us?" Prissy asked.

"No, Prissy," Max said, "I'm going to stay up here in the tree. It is much cooler up here than down on the ground when the wind starts blowing again."

Pete and Prissy looked at each other and agreed it was time to start for home.

"Good-bye, Max," Prissy said. "Pete and I will see you again another day!"