Balcony Mint

A low clay pot was waiting right past the open balcony door! I scurried under the swaying sheer curtain—hop, bounce, waddle—straight out onto the warm patio tiles. Fresh outdoor air hit my fur, full of leafy smells. Right ahead, green serrated leaves were clustered at snout height. I paused, tilting my ears. It smelled sharp and cool, like frosted grass. I leaned in, nudging the biggest fuzzy leaf with my nose, and took a huge sniff. Tickle, fizzle, buzz! My ears flicked back and—ah-CHOO! The sneeze launched me backward into a neat somersault. I sat up blinking. A crushed green leaf was stuck flat to my nose!