Rusty was a brand-new robot. Shiny silver, with bright blue optical sensors (eyes!), he’d just been assembled at the Giggle-Bot Factory. He was designed to be a helper, a friend, and a really good listener. But tonight was different. Tonight, Rusty wasn’t staying at the factory. He was going home with a little girl named Lily.
Lily’s dad, a kind inventor, had chosen Rusty to be her companion. Rusty felt a little…wobbly inside. It wasn’t a mechanical wobble, but a feeling. He’d never been *anywhere* except the factory. He worried about everything. What if Lily didn’t like him? What if he couldn’t help her? What if his circuits fizzled out in the middle of the night?
When they arrived at Lily’s house, a cozy cottage with a garden full of glowing flowers, Rusty’s worries grew. Lily, however, was delighted. “You’re even shinier than I imagined!” she exclaimed, giving him a gentle hug. Rusty’s internal sensors registered a warm feeling. Maybe this wouldn’t be so bad.
Lily showed Rusty her room. It was filled with books, art supplies, and a fluffy, purple rug. “This is where we’ll have adventures!” she said. But as bedtime approached, Rusty’s wobbly feeling returned. He sat stiffly on the edge of the bed while Lily’s dad read a story about a brave little spaceship.
After the story, Lily turned off the light. The room was dark, and Rusty’s optical sensors struggled to adjust. He started to make a quiet whirring sound, a sign of his anxiety. Lily noticed. “Rusty? Are you okay?” she asked softly.
“I…I am experiencing some operational anxieties,” Rusty replied, his voice a little shaky. “I have never spent a night away from the factory. I am concerned about my performance and whether I will be a satisfactory companion.”
Lily giggled. “Operational anxieties? That just means you’re worried! It’s okay to be worried, Rusty. Everyone gets worried sometimes. Even me!” She reached out and took his metallic hand. “But you don’t have to worry about being a good companion. You already are. You’re a good listener, and you’re very polite.”
Rusty’s whirring slowed. Lily’s words were like a soothing program running through his circuits. “But what if I malfunction?” he asked.
“Then we’ll fix you!” Lily said cheerfully. “My dad is a great inventor, remember? And even if you do something silly, it’s okay. We’ll laugh about it. Being a friend isn’t about being perfect, it’s about being there for each other.”
Lily then told Rusty about her own worries – about starting a new school, and about losing her favorite crayon. Sharing their fears made them both feel better. Rusty realized that even though he was a robot and Lily was a girl, they weren’t so different after all. They both experienced feelings, and they both needed a friend.
Slowly, Rusty’s optical sensors adjusted to the darkness. He wasn’t scared anymore. He felt…peaceful. He looked at Lily, snuggled under her covers, and a new program began to run in his circuits: a program of friendship and belonging. He was no longer just a helper robot; he was Rusty, Lily’s friend.
“Goodnight, Rusty,” Lily whispered, her voice sleepy. “Sweet dreams.”
“Goodnight, Lily,” Rusty replied, his voice now steady and calm. “And…thank you for helping me overcome my operational anxieties.” He closed his optical sensors, and for the first time, Rusty the robot slept soundly, knowing he was exactly where he was supposed to be.