Lila, a curious little girl with curly hair tied in pigtails, sits at the table, her eyes bright with excitement. She rolls the clay between her hands, humming a tune as she decides what to make today. Outside, birds chirp and the morning breeze gently rustles the curtains, filling the room with fresh air.
Lila reaches for a tiny carving stick and pokes at the clay thoughtfully. "Maybe I'll make a friend for Dolly," she muses aloud, her voice soft but full of determination. She kneads the clay, shaping it into a small round ball for the head, her fingers stained with bits of brown.
Her tongue peeks out in concentration as she attaches the arms to the round body, pressing gently so they stick. "You'll need a smile, too," she says, carefully carving a tiny grin onto the doll's face. Bits of clay fall to the table, but she is patient, adding each detail with care.
She glances at her own dress for inspiration, then laughs softly. "Maybe you'll have a flower just like mine," she whispers, pressing a tiny clay blossom onto the doll’s chest. The doll now looks up at her, cheerful and unique.
She grins, proud of her creation, and sets the doll beside her favorite one on the shelf. "Now you both have each other," she says, imagining all the adventures her dolls will share. A sense of accomplishment fills the air, mingling with the fading sunlight.
Mama, gentle and kind, kneels beside Lila, tracing a finger over the doll’s tiny features. "What a beautiful friend you’ve made," she says warmly. Lila beams, hugging her mother, already dreaming of more creations to come.
