A Lesson in Imagination

Lily’s tummy did a little flip-flop, the kind that usually happened when she had to speak in front of the class or when her drawing didn’t turn out quite right. But this flip-flop was different. It was a nervous, wiggly feeling, like a tiny worm doing cartwheels in her stomach. Pip, sensing her unease, nudged her hand with his wet nose. “What’s wrong, Lily-pad?” he asked, his tail giving a concerned little thump against the rug.

Lily looked down at the notebook, then at Pip, then back at the notebook. The mischievous pixie, a blur of glitter and giggles, was currently attempting to tie all the shoelaces in Mrs. Gable’s classroom together. A chorus of surprised yelps and confused “Huh?”s echoed from the school hallway, followed by the unmistakable sound of tiny, tinkling laughter. Lily squeezed her eyes shut. “It’s… it’s that pixie, Pip,” she whispered, her voice barely audible. “It’s making a mess. And it’s my fault.”

Pip tilted his head, his floppy ears perking up. “Your fault? But you drew me! And I’m the bestest friend ever!” He gave a little bark of affirmation, as if to prove his point.