One day, Echidna saw a piece of string dangling in the air.
Gently, he tugged it.
The string was tied to a large balloon.
Echidna’s eyes widened. He had found a new toy.
He waved the string from side to side.
Then he yanked the string up and down.
He balanced the balloon on his snout and caught it gently with his claws.
Then he released the string…
and quickly caught it again before it floated away.
RUSTLE! RUSTLE!
There was something inside the balloon.
Echidna sniffed, and he sniffed, and he sniffed. What was trapped inside?
He paced up and down the bush, with the balloon bopping behind.
What should he do? Should he burst the balloon?
Echidna decided to hold onto his toy just a little longer.
Soon, Echidna’s stomach rumbled.
He tied the balloon to a tree and set off to find some food when…
WHOOSH!
A gust of wind blew the balloon into the air.
Echidna waddled after the balloon.
The balloon floated higher and higher and higher…
Until it got caught in a tree branch.
He tried climbing the tree.
THUD!
However, it was all too hard!
Echidna was about to leave when…
POP!
The ground was littered with tiny, colorful beans. Jellybeans!
Echidna had a taste. It was sweet but not something he wanted to eat.
However, it did attract his favorite meal.
A trail of ants started marching toward the colorful beans.
Echidna had a feast!
He licked, and he licked, and he licked.
After an afternoon filled with adventure and a full belly, Echidna journeyed home.
Along the way, he saw several pieces of string swaying in the breeze.
Echidna rushed over and clutched them tightly in his snout.
