Part 2: A Furry Co-Pilot

Downey turned his head and saw a pair of glowing eyes staring at him from the shadows. His fur bristled for just a moment before he caught a familiar scent—Maggie, the barn mouse. She was small, quick, and always seemed to be up to something.

“What are you doing up there, Downey?” Maggie squeaked, tilting her head.

“I’m going on an adventure,” Downey declared. “I just need to figure out how to start this thing.”

Maggie twitched her whiskers. “You mean the tractor? You’d need thumbs for that.”

Downey sighed. Thumbs. Of course. A minor setback, but not the end of his dream.

Maggie scampered up onto the dashboard. “Maybe I can help. My great-great-grandmouse once told me about a cat who rode a tractor. She said the key is to have a purpose.”

Downey’s ears perked up. A purpose? He hadn’t thought about that. “Like what?”

Maggie pointed her tiny paw toward the open field. “Something useful. Maybe planting a garden?”

Downey’s eyes lit up. A garden! But not just any garden—a catnip garden. He imagined rows and rows of fresh, green catnip, swaying in the breeze. He could share it with all the kitties in the neighborhood. This was it. His mission.

Now, all he needed to do was find a way to get the tractor moving…