Bailey, a golden retriever puppy with warm honey-colored fur and bright, eager eyes, already knew many different tricks. She could run like the wind across the yard, roll over in the grass until her fur was full of green bits, and sit proudly and majestically. But this morning, as her fluffy tail swished behind her, Bailey realized there was one thing she still did not know how to do. "I can run, and I can roll, and I can sit so nicely, but why can't I catch that wiggly thing behind me?"

Bailey twisted her head to the left and spotted the tail for just a second. She took one quick step, then another, and suddenly began running around and around in circles. Faster and faster she went, so fast the yard seemed to spin with her. "Almost! Stay right there, little tail!" Bailey stopped in a huff.

Bailey decided that if left did not work, then perhaps the answer lived in the other direction. She sprang up and began racing in circles to the right. Her tail flashed at the edge of her sight again and again, but never close enough to catch.

One more try, Bailey thought. With a quick hop and a neat little twist, Bailey turned and caught the tail! She froze amazed, head held high."I did it! I really did it! My tail is not faster than me, I just had to try!"

Bailey rested her, tired but deeply pleased. She still loved to run, and play in the leaves. But every time her tail wagged behind her, she smiled with glee. "Today I learned my tail's secret, and that makes this a very good day indeed!"