Sun-Dance on the Living-Room Rug

Starring Alice

Alice saw a sunbeam on the floor and reached out. It tickled her fingers, so she clapped and giggled, "Sun giggle!" Her orange top glowed, and her toy with colorful shapes rattled softly.

Because the sunbeam slid away, Alice scooted after it, palm pat-pat on the rug. It climbed the wall, which made her blink in surprise. "Come back!" she chirped, tapping her toy as if to invite it.

Mama peeked in and whispered, "Chasing sunshine, explorer?" Alice babbled, so Mama offered a small mirror. Together they placed blocks as markers, mapping where the light moved, which made Alice point and squeal, "Path!"

The dot zipped farther, and Alice hurried, but her foot bumped a little cup. Water splashed—oh no! They paused to wipe the floor, losing time and leaving the map half-finished.

After they cleaned, a cloud covered the sun. The beam vanished, and Alice’s mouth made a tiny "o." Mama sighed, "Our sun-path hid," which made the room feel suddenly quiet.

Alice tapped the mirror, thinking hard, so Mama fetched a flashlight. Click! A bright circle bloomed on the rug, and Alice clapped fast. "New sun!" she crowed, proud of their new plan.

Because they made their own sunshine, they finished the map, dot by dot. Alice and Mama stepped along it like a dance, sniffing the sunny orange smell from a fruit bowl nearby. Laughter bounced off the walls.

The cloud slid away at last, and real sunlight met their make-believe sun. Alice pressed her palm into the warm patch and whispered, "Hello, light." Mama smiled, knowing they could always find brightness together.