Sarah stared at the hamster. “Mom, where’s Poppy?”

“Right there, sweetheart.” Mom hoped Sarah couldn’t tell the
difference. Old Poppy had died and she’d replaced him with a
lookalike.

“But it’s much smaller.”

“Maybe he’s lost weight.”

Sarah mulled it over. “Overnight? I wish Poppy could tell you his secret.”

Sylvia Heike lives in Finland and loves her rabbits, even when they nibble on her books. She writes poetry and flash fiction and is
working on her novel. Check out her website at www.sylviaheike.com.