Grace sat on the living room floor in her crinkly birthday crown. The clock glowed 11:58. She tapped her fingers on her knee. "Midnight, midnight," she whispered. A soft clatter echoed from the kitchen.
Grace crept to the kitchen doorway and pressed her ear against the cool wood. She heard her parents whispering. Then she heard tiny hooves clicking on tile.
Grace tiptoed back and hid behind the couch. She peeked over the cushion and held up three fingers, then two, then one. Midnight was almost here.
The clock read 11:59. Heavy footsteps approached from the hallway. Grace squeezed her eyes shut and held her breath. What on earth was happening in her own kitchen?
Her parents stepped into the room. Behind them, a fluffy white lamb stumbled through the doorway and headbutted Grace's sneaker. "BAA!" it cried. Grace's birthday crown fell to the floor.
Grace scooped up the lamb and carried it to the couch. The lamb immediately started chewing on her birthday crown. "That is my crown!" she giggled.
The clock struck midnight with a deep bong. The room filled with the warm smell of fresh hay. It felt different and a little bit magical.
Grace rested her chin on the lamb's soft wool. She looked at the glowing clock and smiled at the cozy room. The lamb let out a contented little bleat.