The Zombie Who Couldn't Hit

In the town of Pumpkin Patch, where the autumn leaves always danced golden in the wind, lived a zombie named Zeb. But Zeb wasn't scary at all. He was green and fuzzy, with bright purple eyes that twinkled like stars. Zeb loved baseball more than anything in the whole wide world.

Every Saturday, Zeb would shuffle to the baseball field, his feet going *clomp-clomp* on the dusty path. He carried an old wooden bat that was covered in dents and scratches. But nobody ever wanted Zeb on their team. "You'll drop the ball!" they'd say. "Your hands are too cold!" Zeb would hang his head and watch from the sidelines, his purple eyes sad.

One sunny afternoon, a small golden dog named Buster trotted onto the field. Buster had only three legs, but he could run faster than the wind. He wagged his tail so hard his whole body wiggled. When he saw Zeb sitting alone, Buster bounded over and dropped a tennis ball at Zeb's feet.

"Woof!" Buster barked happily.

Zeb picked up the ball. It was yellow and fuzzy, just like him. He tossed it gently, and Buster caught it in his mouth, prancing proudly.

From that day on, Zeb and Buster became the best of friends. Zeb would hit the baseball, and Buster would chase it, his three legs moving like lightning. The other children watched in amazement. Zeb might have been a zombie, but he could hit the ball farther than anyone!

One day, the biggest game of the year arrived. Zeb's team was losing, and it was the final inning. The bases were loaded. Zeb stepped up to the plate, his heart pounding like a drum in his chest. Buster sat behind home plate, wagging his tail encouragingly.

The pitcher threw the ball. Zeb swung his bat with all his might. *CRACK!* The ball soared into the clouds, higher and higher, until it disappeared into the sparkling blue sky.

"Home run!" everyone cheered.

Zeb's teammates lifted him onto their shoulders. Buster barked and jumped around them in circles. Zeb smiled the biggest smile any zombie had ever smiled.

That day, everyone in Pumpkin Patch learned something important: being different doesn't mean you can't be wonderful. Sometimes, the most unexpected friends make the best team.

And every Saturday after that, Zeb played baseball with all the children, while Buster chased every ball, his three legs carrying him faster than anyone could imagine.