Toto opens her eyes.
The room is bright. The curtains are yellow, and the morning sun comes through them like honey.
She listens.
Outside, a bird is singing. Then another bird. Then many birds.
And then — from the barn — Daisy.
'Mooooo.'
Toto smiles. That means it is morning. That means it is time.
She sits up. Her notebook is on the small table next to her bed. She picks it up. On the cover, she wrote her name in big letters: TOTO. Inside, there are drawings — a worm, a leaf, a butterfly, and three question marks.
She puts it in her pocket.
There is a soft sound at the door. Scratch, scratch.
Toto opens it.
Bruno is there. He is big and brown and his tail is going very fast.
'Good morning, Bruno,' Toto says.
Bruno licks her hand.
Toto goes to the bathroom, washes her face, and puts on her boots. Her boots are green with small white flowers. They are her favourite.
Downstairs, Mum is in the kitchen. The smell of bread is everywhere.
'You're up early,' Mum says.
'It's spring,' Toto says. 'There is a lot to do.'
Mum laughs. She gives Toto a small piece of bread with butter.
Toto eats it in three bites. She picks up the egg basket from the hook near the door.
The basket is round and brown. It has a handle. Every morning, Toto carries it to the chicken house. Every morning, she brings it back full.
She opens the front door.
The air is cold and fresh. The grass is wet. The sky is pink and orange and a little bit blue.
Bruno runs ahead. His feet are already muddy.
'Wait for me!' Toto calls.
She runs after him.