It was a bright morning when the child sat quietly on the porch, wearing a yellow sweater dotted with hearts. They felt a little heavy inside but tried to hide it. Their teal-blue companion sat close, watching with kind eyes and a soft smile.
The child wished they could share how tough the day had been but felt unsure. Their little friend nudged them gently, as if saying, It's okay to say how you feel.
At school, the child tried to smile at friends, but the smile didn’t reach their eyes. They felt like something was stuck inside, like a quiet storm cloud. Their companion sat quietly on their desk, a little worried too.
During recess, the child looked down at their shoes and whispered, I’m having a rough day. Their animal friend looked up with big eyes and nodded, still silent but understanding.
After school, the caring adult greeted the child with a warm smile, seeing right away that something was different today. Do you want to talk? they asked gently, resting a hand on the child's shoulder.
The child took a deep breath and said, I didn’t fake a smile today. I felt sad, but I wanted to tell you. The adult nodded, their eyes full of kindness and understanding.
The adult shared a story about days when they also felt low, and how sharing helped them feel lighter. The child sniffled but smiled a little, feeling less alone now.
Together, the three sat quietly, the child feeling safe enough to be honest. It wasn’t a perfect day, but it was a day full of real smiles.