Domino

Playing near the forest where she lives, twelve-year-old Domino finds an acorn of exceptional size. A grey squirrel in a nearby tree, upon seeing the gorgeous acorn that Domino picks up, decides he wants it. He descends from the tree and stalks Domino through the grass. Domino, however, has no difficulty spotting the squirrel and tries to lure him to her by taunting him with it. When the squirrel will not approach, Domino declares 'squirrels are no fun' and tosses the acorn to him, but...
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Playing near the forest where she lives, twelve-year-old Domino finds an acorn of exceptional size. A grey squirrel in a nearby tree, upon seeing the gorgeous acorn that Domino picks up, decides he wants it. He descends from the tree and stalks Domino through the grass. Domino, however, has no difficulty spotting the squirrel and tries to lure him to her by taunting him with it. When the squirrel will not approach, Domino declares 'squirrels are no fun' and tosses the acorn to him, but in mid-air and mid-arc, the acorn 'sticks' just as if hanging about four feet above the ground is the most natural thing an acorn might do. With both Domino and the squirrel expressing incredulity with this turn of events, Domino, much to the squirrel's exasperation, promptly investigates and pulls the acorn free from whatever was holding it, leaving in its place a hole in reality. When Domino examines the hole, it dramatically increases in size and eventually topples over her, putting her in a different reality where she is immediately face-to-face with an inquisitive, but apprehensive saber-tooth tiger. After some initial squabbling, they befriend each other, and the tiger, somewhat enthused at the prospect of eating a different world's critters, agrees to accompany Domino as she tries to find her way home. Along the way they are joined by a fox and run afoul of a hot tempered magistrate who has designs of her own on Domino's future, designs to prevent her ever going home.Twelve-year-old Domino is precocious, contemplative, and perhaps more inquisitive than what might be best for her. The story 'Domino' is large on innocence and whimsy.