Ruby had made three paper crowns that afternoon. One was gold, one was green, and one was purple with a wobbly star. Now she was sitting on the rug with her little sister Posy, and they were pretending.
"Let's pretend we sail to a floating island," said Ruby. "A teacup island, high up in the sky."
"With a hedgehog," said Posy.
"With a hedgehog," Ruby agreed.
They put the crowns on their heads. They closed their eyes. And in the pretend-place behind their eyes, a soft breeze began to blow.
When Ruby looked, she was standing on a big round island shaped just like a teacup. It floated slowly through pink and gold clouds. The grass was soft as a blanket. A curly handle of green hedge looped around one side. Little lanterns glowed along the path, warm and gentle.
Posy was there too, holding the purple crown. A small hedgehog came trundling toward them, with a tiny apron tied around her middle.
"Hello, hello," said the hedgehog. "I'm Pip. I'm so glad you came. I keep the cocoa pot here, and tonight I'm making a crown for the Moon Tea Party. It's nearly finished, but I need some help."
Pip had a pile of paper, ribbon and silver stars on a little round table. Ruby smiled at once. Paper crowns were her very best thing.
"I can help," she said. "I know how."
"Me too," said Posy, and she reached for the silver stars.
"Wait," said Ruby. "I'm doing the stars."
"I want to do them," said Posy.
Ruby took the stars and turned her back a little. She wanted the crown to be perfect. Posy's lip wobbled. She put down the purple crown and walked away to the edge of the hedge handle, where she sat very still, looking at the clouds.
Ruby stuck on one star. Then another. But the crown did not feel any better with stars on it. Her tummy felt a bit crumpled, like paper.
Pip did not say anything. She only hummed and stirred the cocoa pot, and a sweet chocolate smell drifted across the grass.
Ruby looked at Posy's small back. She looked at the silver stars in her hand. Then she picked up the very best star, the biggest one, and walked over to the hedge.
"Posy," she said. "I'm sorry I grabbed the stars. They're for both of us. Do you want to put on the biggest one?"
Posy turned around. Her eyes were a little shiny, but then she smiled, a small smile that grew bigger.
"It's okay," she said. "I'm sorry I was grumpy too."
"Okay," said Ruby.
"Okay," said Posy.
And they hugged, right there on the soft grass, while the clouds drifted by.
They walked back to the table hand in hand. Posy pressed the big star onto the very middle of the crown. Ruby tied the ribbon. They worked side by side, and the crown came out more sparkly than any they had made before.
"Oh, how lovely," said Pip, clapping her little paws. "Just right for the Moon Tea Party."
Pip poured three small cups of cocoa, steaming and sweet. She set a marshmallow in each one, and the three of them sat on the grass, shoulder to shoulder. Ruby's hands felt warm around the cup. Posy leaned her head against Ruby's arm.
"Best island ever," Posy whispered.
"Best island ever," said Ruby.
The lanterns glowed softer. The clouds turned the color of peach and lavender. The teacup island rocked, slow and gentle, like a cradle in the sky. Far above, a round, friendly moon came up to try on its new crown.
Ruby yawned a big, slow yawn. Posy yawned too.
The breeze came back, soft as a whisper, and the island and the lanterns and the cocoa grew faint and far away.
Ruby opened her eyes. She was in her own cozy bed, tucked under her quilt, with the night-light shining a small golden circle on the ceiling. Down the hall, she could hear Posy breathing slowly, already fast asleep. The purple paper crown sat on the shelf beside her, waiting for tomorrow.
Ruby snuggled into her pillow. Her tummy felt warm, like cocoa. Her eyes grew heavy, and heavier, and soon she was fast asleep.
馃寵 The End 馃寵
This story was written by AI for an example child named Ruby, and it passed the same safety check every Tuck-In Tales story gets before it's sent.