Emily, a small child with curly hair, sat quietly on the rug, hugging her favorite stuffed animal. The house felt quieter than usual, and her eyes kept drifting to the empty dog bed. She missed her pet, Max, who used to nap there every afternoon. Tears welled up in her eyes as she remembered his wagging tail and happy bark.
Emily curled up under her blanket, feeling a heavy sadness in her chest. She whispered, "I wish Max was here. I feel so lonely without him." The room was quiet except for the soft ticking of her clock. She hugged her stuffed animal a little tighter, hoping it would help the ache in her heart.
Emily walked outside and sat among the daisies. She picked up the red ball and closed her eyes, remembering all the games of fetch she played with Max. Smiling a little, she started talking to the sky. "Do you remember how fast you used to run, Max? I loved playing with you." The gentle wind felt like a hug, and she imagined Max was listening.
New Character: Mom, gentle and caring, always ready to listen.
Emily looked up at Mom with teary eyes. "I miss Max so much. My heart hurts," she said softly. Mom squeezed her hand and replied, "It's okay to feel sad, Emily. Max was a special friend and it's normal to miss him. I'm here if you want to talk or just need a hug."
Emily decided to draw a picture of Max. She carefully colored his floppy ears and bright eyes, adding flowers and hearts all around him. As she drew, she felt her sadness mix with happy memories. "I can always remember Max by making pictures and telling stories about him," she whispered, smiling through a few tears.
Mom wrapped her arms around Emily, holding her close. "Max loved you very much, and he’ll always be in your heart," she said gently. Emily nodded and closed her eyes, feeling safe and loved. The sadness was still there, but it was a little easier to bear.
Emily pressed the earth around the flower, thinking of Max with each gentle pat. "This is for you, Max. I will visit you every day," she promised. The new flower shone in the morning light, and Emily smiled, knowing her friend would always be remembered.
Emily ran through the grass, her heart lighter than before. She told her new friend stories about Max, sharing memories and laughter. Even though she still missed him, Emily knew it was okay to feel happy again. She remembered that love never really leaves—it just grows in new ways.
