The Friendliest Zombie Ever

Lily hated her daily vitamin. Every morning, she'd hide it under her tongue, then spit it into the potted plant when her mom wasn't looking.

"Lily, time for swimming lessons!" her mom called.

Lily groaned. She was terrified of the pool. What if the water swallowed her whole?

At the community center, she sat on the edge, dipping her toes in. The blue water sparkled like diamonds.

"Hi! I'm Zora!" A girl with green skin and purple hair sat beside her. "I'm a zombie, but don't worry—I'm a friendly one!"

Lily's eyes widened. "A real zombie?"

"Yep! I eat magic vitamins instead of brains!" Zora giggled, showing Lily a glowing orange tablet. "Want one? It gives you special powers."

"But my mom says vitamins are boring."

"Not these ones!" Zora popped hers into her mouth. Suddenly, she could swim underwater without coming up for air! She did flips and spun like a mermaid.

Lily's fear vanished. She took her own vitamin from her pocket—the one she'd been hiding all week—and swallowed it.

Nothing happened.

Zora winked. "The magic only works if you believe in yourself AND take care of your body. Vitamins help you grow strong, but courage comes from inside."

Lily believed. She jumped into the pool. And you know what? She could swim! Not like a zombie or a mermaid, but like a brave girl who had discovered her own magic.

Every day after that, Lily took her vitamin. Not because she needed magical powers, but because she learned that taking care of yourself is the first step to being brave enough for anything—even swimming in the deep end.