Pip was a little guinea pig with very big ears and an even bigger worry. Every night, when the lights went out in the cozy little house, Pip imagined shadows were giant monsters! He’d burrow deep into his hay, wishing he was brave like his older brother, Gus.
Gus was always exploring. He’d zoom around the living room during playtime, sniffing every corner and investigating every toy. Pip preferred to stay close to his food bowl, feeling safe and small. Tonight, though, something was different. A tiny squeak, much smaller than Pip’s own, drifted from under the bookshelf.
Pip peeked out from his hay. He was scared, but the squeak sounded…sad. He wiggled his nose and took a tiny step. Then another. He crept towards the bookshelf, his little heart thump-thumping like a drum. ‘Hello?’ he squeaked, his voice barely a whisper.
A very small mouse, no bigger than Pip’s thumb, scurried into view. ‘I…I’m Millie,’ she squeaked back, her whiskers trembling. ‘I’ve lost my favorite button! It rolled under the bookshelf and I can’t reach it. It’s a sparkly blue one, and I need it for my bedtime blanket.’
Pip’s worry about monsters suddenly felt much smaller. Millie needed help! He knew he wasn’t as adventurous as Gus, but he could *try*. He squeezed under the bookshelf, pushing past dust bunnies and forgotten toys. It was dark and a little spooky, but he kept going.
He sniffed and sniffed, his nose twitching. Finally, he spotted it! A tiny, sparkly blue button, gleaming in the dim light. He nudged it with his nose, then carefully pushed it out towards Millie.
Millie’s eyes lit up. ‘Oh, thank you, thank you!’ she squeaked, grabbing the button. ‘You’re so brave, Pip! I was so worried I’d have to sleep without it.’
Pip felt a warm glow inside. He *was* brave! He hadn’t let his fear stop him from helping a friend. He stood a little taller, his ears perked up. Gus came over, sniffing curiously. ‘What happened here?’ he asked.
Pip proudly explained how he’d rescued Millie’s button. Gus smiled. ‘That’s wonderful, Pip! I knew you had it in you.’
Millie thanked Pip again and scurried back to her cozy nest. Pip returned to his hay, but this time, the shadows didn’t seem so scary. He realized that even a small guinea pig could be brave and helpful. And that feeling was much warmer and brighter than any worry.
He snuggled into his hay, feeling sleepy and content. He closed his eyes, knowing that even if monsters *did* exist, he could face them, because he was Pip, the brave and helpful guinea pig. And that was a very good feeling to drift off to sleep with.