The Zombie's Magic Hat

Lily loved exploring her grandmother's beach house. One afternoon, while hiding behind a giant palm tree, she decided to spy on something mysterious. That's when she saw him.

A green-skinned boy sat in the sand, wearing a bright purple hat with yellow stars. His hair stuck out in every direction, like seaweed floating in the ocean. Lily had heard stories about zombies, but this one didn't look scary at all.

"Are you going to eat brains?" Lily called out, stepping from behind the palm tree.

The zombie looked up. His name was Zummy. "No!" he said. "I eat coconuts. And I wear this magic hat because it keeps me from looking scary. Without it, people run away."

Lily sat beside him in the sand. "Why do you live here alone?"

"Everyone is afraid of me," Zummy said sadly. "But I'm not like other zombies. I just want to make friends."

Lily thought about this. She remembered how scared she had been of the dark until her grandmother gave her a special night-light. Sometimes, things seem scary until you understand them.

"Will you teach me to climb this palm tree?" Lily asked. "I've always wanted to try."

Zummy's face lit up. He showed her how to wrap her legs around the trunk and use her hands to pull herself up, branch by branch. Together, they reached the top and found three perfect coconuts.

That afternoon, they sat under the palm tree, eating coconuts and telling stories. Zummy wasn't a monster at all. He was someone who just needed a friend to see past his green skin.

From that day on, Lily visited Zummy every summer. She learned that the scariest things often turn out to be the most wonderful friends—if you're brave enough to say hello first.

And sometimes, magic isn't in spells or potions. Sometimes, magic is simply seeing someone for who they really are, purple hat and all.