A (0:00)

Foreign. And welcome to sleept Stories. Each week we share a few shout outs and birthday wishes for listeners who help support the show. It's a small way we say thank you and it always makes us smile. Happy belated 13th birthday to Shruti on December 27. Happy 8th birthday to Mason and Caleb. We love the excitement, joy and silliness you bring to our lives. We love you so much. Love Mom, Dad, Eloise and your favorite dog, Margo. Dear boy. Happy happy birthday Mommy, Daddy, Coral and Bubba love you so much. You are clever, kind, thoughtful, funny and we enjoy seeing you grow. And Happy Birthday to Izzy who has a birthday on January 6th. Happy birthday to you all and thank you for supporting the show. We are so grateful you are here with us. Whether you've been listening since the beginning or just found us last week, you're part of something really special. Millions of families around the world making bedtime a little sweeter together. This year we have some lovely new stories planned. More adventures, more wonder, and maybe even a few surprises. We can't wait to share them with you. Now, on to our story. Yuki and Koro are watching Nico rush around talking to herself. Niko is late and finally rushes out the door. She turns and pushes the door shut, but it doesn't actually shut and Koro has an idea that they should go out and explore without Niko. Yuki doesn't think it's a very good idea, but she is worried if Koro goes alone then there will be problems. Yuki and Koro get lost. Nico was late. Very late. So late she was actually talking to herself while rushing around the apartment grabbing things. Keys, keys. Where are my keys? Phone, wallet. Did I remember to. Oh no. I'm supposed to be there in 10 minutes. Yuki sat by her empty breakfast bowl, licking the last traces of mango raspberry ice cream from her whiskers. She watched Nikko's chaos with the detached interest of someone whose morning routine had gone exactly as planned. Koro, on the other hand, was bouncing around Nico's legs like he'd forgotten how gravity worked. For Koro, Nikko's excitement was a game. Special errands, he said to Yuki, his tail going so fast it was basically a blur. She said, special errands. That means the pet store, right? Or maybe the park. Do you think she'll bring back new toys, special treats, or what? She said she's going to the dentist, yuki replied, starting her post. Breakfast, grooming and the bank and the grocery store. Those sound special. Nico grabbed her bag, checked her phone, and rushed to the door. Be good, you two. I'll be back soon. The door swung shut behind her, but it didn't click. It stayed open just a crack. Just enough. Yuki noticed it immediately. Her ear swiveled toward the door, catching the sound of Niko's footsteps fading down the hallway. Instead of the usual solid click of the lock, Koro was already sniffing at the gap, his nose working overtime. Yuki, he whispered, like someone might hear them. The door. It's open. Well, not open open, but, like, not closed. I can see that. We could go outside by ourselves. No leash. No. Koro, come. No, Koro, this way. Just exploring. Yuki continued grooming her paw. You go outside every day, Koro. It's called a walk. But that's different. On walks, Nico decides where we go. I have to stay right next to her. I can't sniff things as long as I want. And we always take the same route. Koro nudged the door wider with his nose. Don't you want to see what's out there when nobody's telling you where to go? Yuki stopped mid lick. She did kind of wonder what was out there. She'd seen glimpses through the window, heard sounds from the street below, but actually being outside, exploring on her own terms. But if Coro wandered off and got lost, Nico would be devastated. Probably too devastated to go to the fancy ice cream shop downtown. Or worse, she might decide that pets who couldn't be trusted alone needed different food. Healthy food, green food. The ice cream supply was at risk. Wait. Yuki said, hopping down from her grooming spot. You ridiculous dog. If you're going out there, I'm going with you. Really? Coro's whole back end started wiggling. Someone needs to make sure you don't do something completely foolish. You may go outside every day, but you have no idea how to actually navigate. You just follow Nico. I know the route. You know one route that's different. I won't get lost. You got lost in the bathroom last week. That was different. The shower curtain was closed and it looked like a wall. Yuki sighed. This is a terrible idea. So we're doing it. She looked at the gap in the door, at Koro's hopeful face, at the hallway beyond. Five minutes, then we come right back. The hallway looked different without Nico leading the way. Coro trotted forward, his tail high. See? I know exactly where we are. The elevator's right there. And Mrs. Rogers apartment is that one. She always gives me treats on walks. Then why are you sniffing everything like you've never been here before? Yuki asked. Because I can. Usually Nico's like, come on, Koro, we're late. But now I can smell everything properly. He stuck his nose against a corner. Did you know there's a whole story here. Three different dogs walked by today. One of them had chicken for breakfast. Fascinating, Yuki said, though she was looking around, too. She rarely got carried through the hallway, usually just glimpsed it through the closing door. We should probably head back soon, koro said, even though he was already walking past the elevator toward the stairs. Obviously, yuki replied, following him. After we just look around. Briefly. Yuki kept walking until she arrived at the stairwell. It was concrete and echoey. Koro's claws made clicking sounds as he bounded down. I know these stairs. We take them sometimes when the elevator's broken. Then why are you going so fast? Because nobody's holding the leash. When they reached the lobby, Coro paused. Ok, so the door's right there. We always turn left when we go outside, toward the park. And what if we turned right? Yuki asked. Coro's ears perked up. I don't know. We never turn right. The main door had a rubber doorstop wedged under it. Somebody must be moving furniture because there were boxes stacked near the mailboxes. Sunlight streamed through the propped open door. The outside world waited. We could just look, coro said. See what's in the other direction. Coral. Just a little bit. Then we'll come right back. This is exactly the kind of forest foolish thing I was worried about. But aren't you curious? Don't you want to see what's out there? You always look out the window. Now you can actually explore. Yuki's tail flicked. She did a little bit. Five more minutes. Then we're going back upstairs and this never happened. They stepped outside, and Koro immediately turned right instead of their usual left. This is going to be great, he said. I bet I can find my way back from anywhere. I go outside every day. Yuki had a bad feeling about this. The city was loud at this time of the day. Super loud. Cars honked. People walked past, talking on phones. A truck beeped as it backed up somewhere. A siren wailed in the distance. Everything smelled like a thousand things at once. Food, exhaust, garbage. Flowers from a shop window, Someone's perfume. This is different from walks, coro said, his eyes huge. There's so much more when you're paying attention to everything instead of just following Nico. Stay close, Yuki said, trying to sound like she had everything under control. We're just looking. Then we go back. But then a leaf skittered across the sidewalk and Koro's instincts took over. He lunged after it, playbowling like the leaf might fight back. The leaf blew down the street. Coro followed. Coro, wait. Yuki ran after him, which was undignified and also more exercise than she'd planned for today. She wasn't built for running. She was built for elegant napping and sophisticated ice cream consumption. The leaf blew around a corner. Coro chased it. Another leaf joined the first one. Then a pigeon landed nearby, and Coro forgot about leaves entirely. Hello, bird. Want to be friends? The pigeon took off. Coro bounded after it. Coro, stop. He wasn't listening. They turned another corner, then another. Buildings that all looked exactly the same surrounded them. Trees that could be any trees. Cars that could be any cars. Coro stopped, panting. That was fun. Should we head back now? He looked around, his tail still wagging. Ok, so we just go back the way we came. We turned left at that corner, so we turn right here. Easy. They walked back to the corner. Everything looked the same as the other corners. Wait, Coro said. Was it this corner or the one back there? You were chasing a pigeon, Coro. You. You weren't paying attention. I was paying attention. I know this area. We walk here. I think. He sniffed the air. There's the bakery smell. That's on our route. So we just follow the smell. But the smell seemed to come from everywhere. Or maybe from multiple bakeries. That's not our bakery. Yuki said, looking at the shop with the a different sign. Ours has a green awning. They all have awnings. Coro turned in a circle. Okay, don't panic. I've been outside a million times. I know how this works. You've been outside on a leash, following Nico a million times. That's different. How is it different? Because when you follow someone, you're not actually navigating. You're just walking. Coro sat down, his tail drooping. Oh. They both stood there on a sidewalk that looked like every sidewalk they'd ever walked past without really looking at. Okay, Coro said quietly. I thought I knew where we were, but I only know our exact route, and this isn't it. Obviously. Your fur is all poofed up. That's just. It's just the wind. There's no wind. Yuki sat down, trying to think. Everything looked the same when you weren't paying attention on walks. The buildings, the streets, the corners. Nico knew where she was going. You just followed her. We should probably figure this out before Nico gets home. Koro said. Obviously. Do you think she'll be very mad? Yuki thought about Nico coming home to an empty apartment, calling for them, looking everywhere, getting more and more worried, and also, maybe as a result, no more ice cream. We need to find someone who actually knows this area, yuki said. Not someone who just walks through it on a leash. Like who? A voice came from behind them, near a dumpster. Hi there. They both spun around. A small, scruffy dog stood there, wearing a faded red bandana around his neck. His fur was brown and sticking up in about 15 directions. He had the look of someone who'd seen things. Who are you? Yuki asked. Name's Potato. Coro's tail started wagging immediately. Hi, I'm Coro. This is Yuki. We're kind of lost Potatoes. Potato finished. Yeah, I could tell you both got that everything looks the same panic thing going on. He trotted over, sniffing the air around them. House pets, right? You smell like fabric softener. And is that ice cream? Yuki bristled. That's breakfast. Ice cream for breakfast. Potato's tail wagged nice. What kind of name is Potato? Yuki asked. The kind that stuck. Potato scratched behind his ear. What kind of name is Yuki? It means snow in Japanese. It's elegant and cool. I got called Potato because I'm round and brown and somebody dropped me behind a restaurant when I was little. He said it matter of fact, like he was describing the weather. We all got our stories. Coro sat down, his head tilted. You live outside? I live everywhere. Mostly around here, though. This is my neighborhood. Potato looked them over. So where's home? An apartment, Coro said. But we don't know which way it is. Apartments all look the same on purpose. That's how they get you. Potato started walking in a small circle, nose working. What's it smell like around your place? Any landmarks? Yuki thought hard. There's a bakery on the corner and a very rude orange cat that sits in the window and judges everyone. Potato stopped circling the bakery with the cranky cat in the window. I am not cranky, yuki said. Not you. The orange tabby mean looking guy hisses at everyone. Oh, that's Gerald. He's extremely territorial. Yeah, that guy. Potato's tail wagged. I know where that is. You're not even that far. Maybe eight blocks. Eight blocks? Yuki's voice got higher. That's practically across the street city. That's like 10 minutes if you know the shortcuts. Potato looked at them both. You want help getting back? Yes, Koro said immediately. We can manage, yuki said. At the same time they looked at each other. We would appreciate assistance. Yuki Amended. If it's not too much trouble. Nah, I got time. Plus, you guys are entertaining. Potato started walking. Come on. Stay close. How do you know where everything is? Coro asked, trotting after him. Bend around. You watch, you learn. You remember. That's how it works out here. Potato glanced back. You learn stuff when you pay attention. Yuki was quiet, watching Potato navigate the sidewalk like he owned it. He knew which grates to avoid, which alley to take, where to cross the street. He greeted other street dogs with a nod. He belonged out here. It was completely different from her life, but she had to admit, in a very quiet part of her mind that she'd never say out loud, it was kind of impressive. Potato led them through an alley that smelled like old food and something Yuki didn't want to identify. Shortcut, he explained. Safer than the main street. They passed behind a restaurant where someone was taking out trash. Potato timed it perfectly, waiting until the person went back inside before trotting past. They cut through a small park where pigeons scattered. Coral wanted to chase them, but Potato gave him a look. Save your energy. We got a ways to go. Still, the park led to another street, and Yuki started seeing things that looked familiar. A store with a green awning, A fire hydrant that was slightly tilted. I remember that, Coro said, his tail picking up speed. I wanted to sniff it on our walk yesterday, but Nico said we were late. Good, Potato said. We're close. Then they turned another corner and there it was, the bakery. The window's full of bread and pastries. And in the window above it, Gerald the orange tabby, glaring down at the world like it had personally offended him. That's it. Koro started running, then remembered himself and slowed down. I mean, that's our building right there. Potato stopped at the entrance. This is you? Yes, Yuki said. Thank you. That was. That was actually very helpful. Can you come up? Koro asked, bouncing a little. We have kibble and Yuki has like 10 different kinds of ice cream. Nah. Potato sat down, scratching behind his ear. I got places to be. Oh. Koro's tail dropped. Okay. Yuki surprised herself by stepping forward. Perhaps if you're in the area again, we might see you. Potato's tail wagged. Yeah. You gonna sneak out again? Absolutely not. This was a one time incident of complete foolishness. Uh huh. Potato grinned. Well, if you do have another incident, I'm usually around. We don't actually know where to find you, Coro said. Fair point. I'm usually by the park in the mornings or behind the Chinese restaurant on Fourth Street. Around dinner, they give me scraps. That sounds nice, Coro said. It's a living. Potato stood up, shaking dust off his fur. You two better get inside before your human gets back. Obviously, Yuki said. Take care of yourselves, house pets. You too, Potato, Coro said. They watched him trot off down the sidewalk, his red bandana bright against his his brown fur. He turned the corner and disappeared. He was nice, Koro said. He was adequate, Yuki replied. But she was still looking at the corner where he'd vanished. Come on. We need to get back before Niko does. They slipped through the main door, still propped open. Thankfully, the lobby was quiet. They took the stairs fast, up the hallway, past the plant, past the other doors. There. Their door still open a crack, exactly like they'd left it. They squeezed through, and Coro pushed it with his nose until it was almost closed. Just the tiniest gap, like before. Both of them collapsed on the living room floor. That Coral panted was amazing. That was terrifying. Yuki said. We are never, ever doing that again. But wasn't it kind of fun? Yuki paused, grooming her paw to buy time. Perhaps slightly in small doses, but mostly terrifying. We met Potato. Yes, and we made it home. Obviously, I had everything under control the entire time. Coro looked at her. You said you were lost. I said we were temporarily geographically confused. It's different. They heard footsteps in the hallway, a key turning. Both of them jumped up, trying to look casual. Koro went to his water bowl. Yuki hopped onto her favorite chair and started grooming like she'd been there all day. The door opened. Nico came in, juggling grocery bags and her purse. Hi, you two. How was your day? She kicked the door shut behind her. This time it clicked properly. I bet you just slept the whole time, didn't you? Coro's tail wagged, but he stayed by his bowl, trying to look sleepy. Yuki meowed once, very casual, very ordinary. Well, I got your ice cream, Yuki. They had that coconut mango you like. Nico started unpacking groceries and Koro. The pet store has those treats you go crazy for. Koro whispered. Do you think she knows? If she knew, Yuki whispered back, there would be no ice cream. They settled into their usual shared napping spot by the couch, both exhausted, both satisfied. Potato was nice, Coro murmured, already half asleep. Mmm. Do you think we'll see him again? Perhaps. If we're very foolish. But not through open doors. Definitely not through open doors. Maybe through windows. Coral Just thinking out loud, they fell asleep, hurled together, dreaming of shortcuts and alleys and a scruffy dog with a red bandana who knew every corner of his neighborhood. And that is the end of our story. Good night. Sleep tight.