Eli is a little boy. He lives in a house with a cozy room.
Tonight, Eli cannot find his tiny blue blanket. “Bibi blanket!” Eli says. He looks under the bed. No.
He looks in the toy box. A toy drum goes BOOM. A toy car goes vrrr. But no blanket.
“Where did it go?” Eli whispers.
In the corner, there is a big plant in a pot. Its leaves softly wiggle. A warm voice says, “Hello, Eli.”
Eli’s eyes get round. “Who?”
“I am a Tree Spirit,” the voice says. The leaves make a gentle swish-swish. “I live with this little tree. I am kind. I can help you look.”
Eli feels shy, but he nods. “Help, please.”
They tip-toe. The house is quiet. The hallway is long. It feels a tiny bit spooky, but also exciting.
“Step, step,” says Eli.
“Step, step,” says the Tree Spirit.
They look in the bathroom. Eli opens the hamper. Socks! “Silly socks,” he giggles.
They look in the kitchen. Eli peeks behind a chair. Crumbs! “No blanket,” he sighs.
Then they hear a small sound.
Squeak… squeak…
From the play room, a toy bear sits on the floor. The bear’s button eyes shine. The bear says, “Mine.”
Eli stops. “Toy?”
The toy bear hugs something blue. A corner of the blanket sticks out.
The Tree Spirit whispers, “That toy is not mean. It is lonely. It wants a hug, too.”
Eli thinks. He is gentle and brave.
Eli kneels down. “Hi, Bear. That is my Bibi blanket. Can we share?”
The toy bear squeezes tighter. “Mine,” it squeaks again.
Eli makes a funny face. “If you keep it, my nose will go ‘ACHOO!’” He wiggles his nose. “ACHOO!”
The toy bear blinks. “Achoo?”
Eli nods fast. “Yes. Big achoo. Loud.”
The Tree Spirit rustles its leaves like a laugh. “Swish! Swish!”
Eli offers his arms. “Bear, hug me first. Then we can hug the blanket together.”
The toy bear looks. It pauses. Then it scoots close. Eli gives a soft hug.
The bear’s squeak becomes quiet. “Warm,” it says.
“Warm,” Eli repeats.
Slowly, the bear lets the blanket slide out. Eli holds it. The blue blanket smells like home.
“Thank you,” Eli says.
The bear points to a little box under the shelf. “For Eli,” it squeaks.
Eli opens the box. Inside is a shiny star sticker and a tiny new night-light that glows like a moon.
“A treasure!” Eli says.
The Tree Spirit says, “A gift for sharing. Put the moon light by your bed.”
Eli carries the blanket and the moon light back to his room. He places the moon light on the table. It makes a soft glow.
Eli looks at the Tree Spirit. “Will you stay?”
“I will listen from the leaves,” the Tree Spirit says.
Eli hugs his blanket. “Good night, Tree Spirit. Good night, Bear.”
From far away, the bear squeaks, “Good night.”
Eli yawns. The moon light shines. Eli feels safe. He closes his eyes, holding his blue blanket, with a new treasure glowing nearby.