The Zombie Who Forgot to Smile

Lily was running through her backyard when she spotted something green behind the old oak tree. It was a zombie! But this zombie wasn't scary at all. He had messy green hair, patchy clothes, and the saddest face Lily had ever seen.

"Hello?" Lily whispered. The zombie looked up. "I'm Zomburt," he mumbled. "I forgot how to smile."

Lily's grandma had told her about zombies who lost their happiness. They needed something special to remember joy again. "I can help!" Lily said. "Let's be friends!"

Zomburt's eyes widened. "Friend? Zombies don't have friends."

"This one does!" Lily grabbed his hand and started running. "Come on!"

They ran through meadows filled with buttercups that tickled their ankles. They ran past babbling brooks that sang silly songs. They ran until they reached Lily's secret garden, where something magical grew.

"This is my sunshine vitamin patch," Lily explained, pointing to glowing orange flowers. "Grandma says these vitamins grow from happiness. When you're truly happy, they appear!"

Zomburt stared. A single vitamin flower bloomed right at his feet.

"You made it grow!" Lily cheered. "That means you're happy!"

Zomburt's mouth twitched. Then one corner went up. Then the other. For the first time in forever, the zombie smiled.

"I have a friend," Zomburt beamed. "And I remember how to smile!"

More vitamin flowers bloomed around them, sparkling like tiny suns. Lily learned that day that everyone sometimes forgets their joy—even zombies. But with a little kindness, a lot of running, and a true friend, happiness always finds its way back.