Mina sat cross-legged on her rug, surrounded by toys. Something felt different tonight.
She turned and saw her teddy bear slumped against the lamp. His button eye caught the light. He looked very still.
Mina picked up her reading glasses and opened a thick picture book. She cleared her throat and read aloud. The teddy did not move.
The pages rustled. A toy car rolled slowly across the floor. Still, the teddy did not wake.
Mina flipped the page and read louder, gesturing at the pictures. Then she paused. She had noticed something.
The teddy's paw twitched. A tiny squeak came from somewhere inside him. Mina gasped.
Then she laughed. "You're awake!" she whispered. Mina read even more carefully now, her voice full of wonder.
The teddy's smile appeared slowly, like a sunrise. The stars on Mina's ceiling began to glow a little brighter.
She read on, her voice soft. The room filled with the sound of pages turning and gentle breathing.
When the last page was turned, Mina closed the book and set it on the floor. She reached for her teddy.
Mina snuggled down under her quilt. The lamplight dimmed to a soft amber glow. The teddy rested against her shoulder.
The stars kept shining. And Mina slept, dreaming of stories yet to be read.