orlie woke the next morning in her own little bed and wondered about the strange dream that had taken her mind to the stars.

n that part of the universe, every other day was Saturday so young ones had plenty of time to play. As Jorlie dressed herself for the day, she was glad it was not a school day.

Jorlie had always stayed close to home, but it seemed like a perfect day to explore the fields around her home. If she would be leaving next year, she wanted to see what lay beyond the little patch of green that had been her entire world.

  promise I won't go far enough to get lost," Jorlie said to her mother as she left. Her mother called after her, "See to it that you're home for supper, hear?"

Jorlie crossed a wild aster field that seemed to stretch forever.

t was nearly an hour before she saw anything but asters and an occasional butterfly.

t was beginning to look like the world was entirely made of asters when she came upon a big spotted dog.

In that land, dogs were friendly to rabbits, and Jorlie was pleased to see him, mostly because he wasn't another aster.

ood morning, Sir. My name is Jorlie. Do you know how far it is to the next field? All I've seen all morning are these flowers ."

"You are almost there," the dog said, looking to the horizon, "just past that row of trees. And the name is Merrick. It's nice to meet you."

ou're so big," Jorlie said in wonder.

Merrick smiled. "Why, thank you."