Nini and the Red Ball

Nini had a red ball, as round and shiny as a big apple. She loved it so much that she kept it close all the time.

1

One morning, Dali came sliding slowly over. “Good morning, Nini! Shall we play ball together?” Nini hugged the ball tight. “No. It’s mine.”

2

Dali’s antennae drooped, and he slid away without a word. Nini threw the ball up high. She caught it. She threw it again. Somehow the game wasn’t as much fun as before.

3

“Why aren’t you laughing?” asked Bleta, buzzing by. “I don’t know,” said Nini. “It’s the same ball, but something’s missing.” “Maybe what’s missing is a friend,” Bleta said gently.

4

Nini thought for a moment. Then she ran after Dali. “Dali, I’m sorry. Come and play with me!” Dali nudged the ball with his shell, and it rolled all the way across the meadow. They both burst out laughing.

5

That evening, Nini counted her dots: one, two, three, four, five. “I learned something today,” she whispered. “When I share my toys, the fun gets twice as big.”

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