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In the cozy kitchen at midday, Mom wraps Boy in a gentle hug beside the stove while smiling warmly. Dad stirs a steaming soup pot, sunshine filtering through curtained windows.
A very special boy lived in a cozy house. His mom hugged, talked, smiled, and gazed at him. Dad made soup while big brother entertained baby sister. "You are loved," Mom whispered, touching his forehead.
Inside the lamplit living room during a storm, Boy kneels by a rain-streaked window racing bright toy cars across the rug. Brother quietly stacks colorful blocks nearby as lightning briefly illuminates the scene.
Rain drummed the windows; thunder rumbled outside. Dad was busy in the bathroom, fixing a faucet. Big brother stacked blocks as baby sister clapped. Nearby, the boy raced toy cars, whispering, "Vroom, vroom."
In the dim front hallway at dusk, Boy peers through a narrow window while clutching a puffy pillow against his chest. The closed door looms beside him, rain-dark shadows stretching across the floor.
Scratch, scratch came from the front door. The boy peeked through the window and saw nothing. "Knock, knock," sounded next, still no one there. He gulped, clutching a pillow like a tiny shield.
Under the porch light at night, Boy cracks the front door and recoils, eyes wide. Outside stands a slithery, hairy monster with big eyes, framed by blowing leaves and distant lightning.
BANG thundered the door, and the boy jumped. He remembered, "Mom says never open doors to strangers." Still shaking, he turned the knob just a crack. Outside stood a slithery, hairy monster with big eyes.
Still on the doorstep, a slithery, hairy monster with big eyes leans forward, one claw raised in timid greeting. Boy stands trembling, knees bent, the porch lamp casting long shadows across their faces.
"Hello, boy," it rasped, "my name is SCRA-LUNGA." The boy froze, knees wobbling like jelly. "I know I look scary," SCRA-LUNGA whispered sadly. "I am nice, but everyone runs away from me."
Beneath the porch light at twilight, Boy gently dabs a tissue against teary cheeks of a slithery, hairy monster with big eyes. The monster sits hunched, grateful, while crumpled tissues litter the wooden step.
Tears and sniffles dripped down the monster’s face. "Wait," the boy said softly, "I can help you." He brought a tissue and gently dabbed the tears. "Thank you," SCRA-LUNGA sniffed, "you are very kind."
Inside the bright kitchen, Boy holds a phone to his ear, anxious yet focused. Through the open back door, a slithery, hairy monster with big eyes waits politely on the patio, sunlight glinting off wet grass.
"Wait," said the boy, "I’ll ask my mom first." He called her at work; she answered, "Hello, sweetheart?" He explained everything quickly and carefully. "Safety first," Mom said, "no strange food; play outside," and she agreed.
On the suburban sidewalk under gray afternoon clouds, Boy pedals a small bike through puddles while a slithery, hairy monster with big eyes chases joyfully, arms high. Water splashes around them, reflecting neighborhood houses.
With permission, the boy and SCRA-LUNGA ran through the grass. They rode bikes; the monster cheered, "Whee! I’m doing it!" They skipped along Astor Ct., splashing puddles. "This is fun," the boy laughed, "you’re fast!"
At sunset in an open field, Boy and a slithery, hairy monster with big eyes lie side-by-side on cool grass, pointing toward pastel clouds overhead. Golden light bathes their relaxed, smiling faces.
As the sun set, they lay in the grass, cloud-watching. "That one looks like a dragon cupcake," the boy said. "I see a noodle rainbow," SCRA-LUNGA giggled. Their tummies rumbled, and their hearts felt light.
Beneath a glowing streetlight at night, Boy stands on the curb waving, eyes misty, while a slithery, hairy monster with big eyes steps away down the wet road, taillit houses fading into darkness.
Night crept in, and streetlights flicked on. "I need to go," SCRA-LUNGA said kindly. "Thank you for being brave and kind, best friend." The boy waved and promised to call for the next playdate.
In the softly lit living room, Boy sits on the sofa explaining earnestly to Mom, who listens attentively beside him. Rain patterns the window behind them.
Back inside, the boy told Mom everything honestly. "I’m sorry I opened the door," he said. "Thank you for calling me and staying outside," Mom said. "Next time, wait with Dad, and we’ll decide together."
In Boy's bedroom at night, Boy lies tucked under a soft blanket, smiling as raindrops streak the window. Mom kneels beside the bed stroking his hair while Sister stands nearby clapping delightedly.
Dad smiled, brother fist-bumped, and baby sister chirped, "Yay!" "You’re very special," Mom said, "for choosing kindness and safety." The boy snuggled under a blanket, listening to rain. He slept smiling, dreaming of friendly adventures.