The Zombie Who Forgot to Smile

Lily loved playing in her grandmother's garden. It was the kind of place where sunbeams danced through leaves and every flower seemed to whisper secrets. One afternoon, while running through the rows of tall sunflowers, she spotted something strange.

A green figure stood near the old oak tree. It moved slowly, arms stretched forward, making a soft groaning sound. Lily's heart beat faster. Was it... a zombie?

She wanted to run away, but something made her stay. The zombie looked sad, not scary. Its eyes were droopy, and it slumped like a wilted lettuce leaf.

"Hello?" Lily called out bravely.

The zombie looked up. "I... I don't know what's wrong with me," it said in a creaky voice. "I feel so tired all the time. I can't remember the last time I smiled."

Lily stepped closer. She noticed something sparkling in the zombie's hand. It was an orange bottle with a rainbow label.

"What's that?" she asked.

"My daily vitamin," the zombie sighed. "But I keep forgetting to take it. Grandpa Zombie says it gives me energy and helps me feel happy. But I'm so forgetful, and I'm always too tired to even open the bottle!"

Lily's eyes lit up. "I can help!"

Together, they sat under the oak tree. Lily opened the bottle and handed the zombie a bright orange vitamin shaped like a little sun. The zombie chewed it slowly.

Suddenly, something magical happened. Color returned to the zombie's cheeks. Its eyes sparkled. A huge grin spread across its face.

"I feel WONDERFUL!" the zombie cheered. "Thank you, Lily! Will you be my friend?"

"Yes!" Lily hugged her new friend. "I'm Lily. What's your name?"

"Zara," the zombie smiled. "And now that I have my energy back, want to see something cool?"

Zara started running – really running! – and Lily chased after her. They ran through the garden, laughing and playing until the sun began to set.

"Come back tomorrow!" Zara called. "We can run races and have adventures!"

Lily waved goodbye, her heart full of joy. She learned that sometimes scary things aren't scary at all – they just need a little help. And everyone, even zombies, needs their daily vitamin to shine bright.