The Zombie Who Forgot How to Smile

Lily discovered the zombie behind the old oak tree, but he wasn't scary at all. He sat slumped against the bark, his gray skin peeling like dry paper, his eyes dull and empty.

"Are you going to eat my brain?" Lily asked, clutching her stuffed bear.

The zombie sighed, and his breath sounded like fallen leaves. "No, little one. I've forgotten how to want anything."

His name was Zeb, and he explained that zombies weren't always monsters. Long ago, they were ordinary people who stopped doing the things that made them happy. They stopped playing, stopped laughing, stopped noticing the sunshine. Slowly, they faded away, becoming real, live zombies.

"What makes you fade?" Lily asked.

"Lack of the happy vitamin," Zeb said. "It comes from friendship and fun. I haven't had either in so long."

Lily's bear, Mr. Cuddles, seemed to wiggle in her arms. She had an idea. "Come with me!"

She led Zeb to the sparkling creek where she went swimming every summer. The water rushed over smooth stones, and dragonflies danced above the surface.

"Swimming!" Lily cried, splashing into the cool water. "It's impossible to be sad while swimming!"

Zeb shook his head. "I can't. I'll sink like a stone."

"Mr. Cuddles will help!" Lily floated her bear on the water. "See? Bears are excellent swimmers. And friends help friends."

Something flickered in Zeb's dull eyes—hope, perhaps. He stepped into the water, and miracle of miracles, he didn't sink. Lily took his gray, peeling hand, and together they kicked and splashed and floated under the golden sun.

For the first time in centuries, Zeb laughed. It started as a rumble in his chest, then bubbled up like spring water. His skin began to flush pink. His eyes sparkled.

"The happy vitamin!" he cried. "I can feel it working!"

They spent the whole afternoon swimming and playing. By sunset, Zeb didn't look like a zombie anymore. He looked like a regular boy, full of life and joy.

"Thank you, Lily," he said, hugging her and Mr. Cuddles. "You reminded me that the best vitamin for a happy heart isn't found in bottles. It's found in friendship, fun, and not being afraid to splash in the creek."

And every summer day after that, Lily, Zeb, and Mr. Cuddles could be found swimming together, three friends who knew that magic is real—you just have to remember how to look for it.