An Unexpected Adventure

Cricket, Ladybug, and Pussywillow were walking to the 50th-Anniversary party. Ladybug was carrying a tray of warm cookies. “Hurry. We can’t be late,” Ladybug grumbled.

Cricket laughed. “Relax. They can’t start without me. I’m the star.”

Ladybug scowled. “I should be the star!”

“Mewy going to a par—!”

“Where did Pussywillow go?” Then they started to fall. “AAAAAA!” Ladybug screamed. They were falling, falling.

“Mewy Weeeee!” Pussywillow exclaimed.

“I’m coming, Pussywillow!” Ladybug exclaimed.

Thudd! The bugs landed on the hard ground.

“That was mewy fun!” Pussywillow cried, hopping around.

Cricket looked around. “Where do you suppose we are?” he asked.

“We are lost in a cave!” Ladybug fretted. “We’ll find a way out.”

“Mewy awesome!” Pussywillow cried.

“Who’s there?” someone croaked. Ladybug jumped.

“Scaredy bug,” Cricket whispered, though he was worried too.

“Who’s there?” came the gravelly voice.

“It’s Cricket,” Cricket said, shaking.

The mysterious thing chuckled. “Funny name for a cricket.”

“Oh, um it’s Cricket, like the magazine.”

“A cricket magazine?” A beetle stepped from the shadows.

“Who are you?” Ladybug demanded.

“Pete,” he said.

“You don’t know about Cricket?” Cricket asked. Pete shook his head.

“It should be called Ladybug,” Ladybug said.

“There’s one named Ladybug?” Pete asked.

Cricket laughed. “No, she’s just jealous.” Ladybug scowled.

“You should come to the party with us!” Cricket exclaimed.

“What party?”

“We’re celebrating Cricket’s anniversary,” Cricket explained.

Pete brightened. “That sounds fun.”

“First we have to get out of here,” Ladybug said.

“Just follow me,” Pete said, scurrying away.

Cricket, Ladybug, and Pussywillow followed Pete through winding tunnels. They hurried to the party.

“You’re here! We were starting to worry,” Old Cricket said.

“Let’s party!” Marty exclaimed. The party lasted for a couple of hours. Everybuggy had a blast. They ate cookies and played games.

“Pete, you should bring home some copies of Cricket with you. You can share them with your friends,” Cricket said, handing Pete a stack of magazines.

“Thanks! All my friends will love them! Thanks for inviting me to the party!” Pete exclaimed. Pete disappeared into the distance.

“So,” Ladybug began. “What adventure’s next?”