Fenn Lifts the Label — Under the striped straw, Fenn the blueberry pressed his round cheek to the creamy swirl and listened to it sigh. Read the full story →
Under the striped straw, Fenn the blueberry pressed his round cheek to the creamy swirl and listened to it sigh. The sun-cart bell went ting-ting in the hot plaza, and the smoothie was getting too soft for the strawberry sisters’ festival toast. Fenn wanted one cool drop from the shaded herb tray, but the tray sat beyond the rim, past the slippery banana curls and the tall paper wall.
He rolled out anyway. Plip, bump, hush. A banana round gave him a sticky boost, and a mint leaf brushed his skin with a sharp green smell. Halfway down, he slipped behind the smooth blank label wrapped around the cup. It was dim there, and close, and Fenn almost called for help.
Then something tickled his side: a tiny folded square, hidden where no straw, spoon, or berry had ever looked. “For the first brave chill-seeker,” it read. Inside was a silver-blue crumb of ice sugar. Fenn carried it back, smaller by one drop of juice but shining. The smoothie stopped sighing and gave a soft, frosty hum. If you check the cup’s middle band, you might guess where Fenn first found the courage to lift the label.
