On Friday, Sofia's teacher had big news. She picked Sofia to take the class hamster home for the whole weekend!
The hamster was a little golden ball of fluff named Nibbles. "I'll take great care of him," Sofia promised. She could not stop smiling.
The Class Pet
At home, Sofia set the cage on her desk. She filled his bowl with food. She filled his bottle with fresh water.
Then she watched Nibbles spin his little wheel, round and round. Sofia felt so grown-up and important.
But on Saturday morning, Sofia gasped. The little cage door was open. And Nibbles was gone!
She looked and looked. The cage was empty. Her heart dropped all the way down to her toes.
Sofia looked everywhere. She peeked under the couch. She peeked behind the bookshelf. She checked every corner.
Still no Nibbles. Sofia was worried sick. Her eyes filled up, and she almost cried.
Then she heard a tiny rustle. Sofia tiptoed over and looked down.
There he was! Nibbles was curled up inside a fuzzy slipper, munching a stray cracker. "There you are!" Sofia scooped him up, so happy and relieved.
Sofia put Nibbles back in his cage. She checked the door once. She checked it twice. Then she clicked it shut, nice and tight.
On Monday, Nibbles went back to class, safe and sound. Taking care of someone is a big job, Sofia learned. And she had done it.