Rowan woke up with a start, oh dear! His teddy named Tilly was nowhere near. He searched his bed and under the sheet, but Tilly was gone, not at his feet. With a worried face and a determined heart, Rowan knew he had to start.

He looked in the closet, behind the door, and even checked under the floor. Rowan peeked inside the toy chest, but Tilly was not there to rest. He climbed his chair to see up high, but found only dust and a sigh.

Rowan went to the kitchen, hoping to see, if Tilly was there, having tea. He asked his mom with a curious plea, 'Have you seen my teddy, Tilly?' She smiled and said, 'Check the pantry, dear, maybe Tilly is hiding near.'

Outside in the garden, Rowan did go, searching for Tilly, moving slow. He looked by the swings and under the slide, but still no Tilly, though he tried. Birds chirped a song, the sun shone bright, Rowan felt hopeful, it would be all right.

Next, Rowan went to see Mr. Lee, who lived next door, as kind as can be. 'Have you seen my teddy?' Rowan did ask, Mr. Lee smiled, ready for the task. 'Let's search the bushes and the big oak tree, maybe Tilly is playing hide and seek with me.'

Rowan ran to the park, not too far, hoping Tilly was there, under a star. He looked by the bench and the merry-go-round, but Tilly was nowhere to be found. Just as he turned with a little frown, he spotted a clue, a small brown crown.

Following the path with a skip and a hop, Rowan found Tilly by the ice cream shop. Tilly was sitting with a happy grin, as if saying, 'Where have you been?' Rowan hugged Tilly with all his might, feeling joy and pure delight.

Rowan and Tilly walked hand in hand, back to their home, their happy land. Rowan whispered, 'I missed you so, promise me, you'll never go.' With Tilly safe, he closed his eyes tight, dreaming sweet dreams all through the night.