📸 Fuzz and the Tongue-In Photo

Fuzz's tongue was always sticking out. When he ate, when he played, even when he slept, a little pink tip peeked out of his mouth like it wanted to see the world.

One day, the family brought out a camera. "Family photo!" they said. "Everyone sit nicely." Cola sat up straight. She fluttered her eyelashes and made her blue eyes extra round. Her turquoise collar sparkled.

"This time," Fuzz whispered to Cola, "I'm going to keep my tongue in. I'm going to look very serious and very handsome."

He closed his mouth tight. He pushed his tongue back. He made a serious face. His big sideways ears stuck out even more than usual, because serious faces are hard work.

"Say cheese!" Click! The photo came out. Everyone looked. There was Cola, looking lovely. There was the family, smiling. And there was Fuzz, with his cheeks puffed out like a balloon, looking very surprised.

Everyone burst out laughing. "Let's try again," they said. "Just be yourself, Fuzz."

So Fuzz relaxed. His tongue popped back out. His bell jingled. He gave his happiest, goofiest grin.

Click! This time the photo was perfect. Fuzz with his tongue out, Cola leaning on his shoulder, and everyone smiling. They put it in a frame on the wall, and every time Fuzz walked past it, he purred.