The Friend Who Saved a Seat

The Friend Who Saved a Seat It was evening, and the house was quiet. The stars were coming out, one by one, like tiny lanterns being lit across the sky. Isla lay in her bed, thinking about her day. It had been a big day... a new place day. And at first, it had felt a little scary. She remembered arriving at the door. The room inside had seemed so big, so full of new faces. Everyone was talking and laughing. They all seemed to know each other already. Isla had stood in the doorway, not quite sure what to do. Her tummy had felt tight. Her feet had not wanted to move. The room seemed to buzz with noise and colour, and she did not know where to look. But then... something wonderful happened. Across the room, someone had looked up. A friendly face with a warm smile. And that someone had waved. "Over here," called the friendly voice. "I saved you a seat." Isla remembered how her feet had started walking, almost by themselves. Step by step, she crossed the big room. The noise did not seem quite so loud now. The faces did not seem quite so strange. And there it was. An empty chair, right next to the waving person. Saved just for her. Gently, Isla sat down. The chair was just the right size. It felt perfect. "I am glad you came," said the friendly face. "I hoped you would." And then Isla smiled back. Her very first smile of the day. And suddenly, Isla felt something warm bloom in her chest. The tight feeling in her tummy began to melt away, like ice cream on a sunny day. The big room did not seem so big anymore. The new faces did not seem so new. She had a place. She had a seat. She belonged. The rest of the day had been lovely. There had been playing and laughing. There had been painting with bright colours and building with soft blocks. There had been singing and storytime and snacks. And best of all, Isla had someone to share it all with. And through it all, Isla had felt that warm feeling. The feeling of being welcome. The feeling of being wanted. The feeling of belonging. Now, lying in her cosy bed, Isla smiled at the memory. Tomorrow, she would go back. And this time, Isla would not feel nervous. She knew now that there was a place for her. A seat saved just for her. A friend waiting to wave and smile. The thought made her heart feel warm and light. Isla snuggled deeper under her covers. The room was dark and peaceful. The stars outside her window twinkled gently, as if they were smiling too. She thought about her new friend. She thought about that kind wave, that saved seat, that warm welcome. It was a treasure... a precious, wonderful treasure that she would keep in her heart. Her eyes began to feel heavy. The memory of the waving hand was so comforting. The memory of sitting down in that special seat was so peaceful. Isla yawned softly. Her body relaxed, sinking into the soft mattress. One day, thought Isla sleepily, one day I will save a seat for someone else. I will wave and smile and make someone feel welcome, just like my friend did for me. But for now, it was time to rest. It was time to let her tired eyes close and her busy mind drift away. And so Isla closed her eyes. She dreamed of friendly waves and saved seats, of rooms that felt just the right size, and the wonderful, warm feeling of belonging. The end.