The Zombie Who Forgot How to Smile

Lily loved playing spy. Every day after school, she'd grab her binoculars and notebook, searching for mysteries in her backyard. One rainy afternoon, she spotted something peculiar near the old swimming pool behind her house.

A green creature sat by the pool's edge, head in his hands. Lightning flashed across the dark sky, and Lily gasped. The creature glowed!

She crept closer, spy instincts tingling. "Hello?" she whispered.

The creature looked up. He had pale skin, messy hair, and the saddest face Lily had ever seen. "I'm a zombie," he mumbled. "But I've forgotten how to be scary." Lightning flashed again, and sparkly tears rolled down his cheeks.

Lily's heart melted. She sat beside him. "What's wrong?"

"I haven't smiled in 100 years," the zombie sniffled. "I lost my joy."

Lily remembered something. She dug into her pocket and pulled out a bright orange gummy vitamin. "My mom says these give you energy and happiness. Want to try one?"

The zombie popped it into his mouth. Suddenly, his eyes widened. Color returned to his cheeks! He let out a delighted giggle that sounded like raindrops.

More lightning flashed, and the zombie jumped up, dancing around the pool. "I feel wonderful!" He twirled and spun, creating beautiful splashes in the puddles.

"I'm Lily!" she cheered, dancing too.

"I'm Zippy!" the zombie grinned. "Thank you, friend."

They played until the storm passed, discovering that Zippy wasn't scary at all—he was just lonely. And Lily learned that sometimes the scariest-looking problems just need a little kindness (and maybe a vitamin) to turn into wonderful friendships.

From that day on, Lily wasn't just a spy anymore. She was a friend-finder. And Zippy? He smiled every single day, proving that even zombies need buddies to feel alive.