It is Halloween night. Tommy is three years old. He wears his soft, blue pajamas and his favorite socks with tiny pumpkins on them. The moon is round and bright. Shadows dance on the wall. Tommy feels happy and a little wiggly.
Tommy has a big, floppy witch's hat. It is black and very silly. The hat is much too big for his head, so it keeps sliding down over his eyes. “Peek-a-boo!” giggles Tommy, lifting up the hat. His teddy bear, Mr. Cuddles, sits next to him. “Do you want to wear the hat?” Tommy asks.
Suddenly, there is a gentle tap, tap, tap at the window. Tommy's eyes grow wide. He tiptoes to the window and peeks outside. He sees his friend, Mia, dressed as a friendly ghost. “Boo!” says Mia, but her voice is soft and sweet.
Tommy opens the window. “Hi, Mia! Do you want to come in?” he asks.
Mia floats in, her white sheet fluttering. She looks at Tommy's hat and smiles. “That's a funny hat!” she says.
Tommy laughs. “It keeps falling down!” He puts the hat on Mia's head. It is so big, it covers her eyes too. Now Mia is a ghost with a witch's hat!
“Peek-a-boo!” Mia giggles. Tommy and Mia laugh and laugh. Mr. Cuddles wants to try the hat too. Tommy puts the hat on Mr. Cuddles. The hat slides down, covering his teddy bear face. “Where's Mr. Cuddles?” Tommy asks.
“Boo!” says Tommy, lifting the hat. Mr. Cuddles is smiling. Everyone claps.
Then, there is another soft knock. Knock, knock! It is Mommy. She peeks in and says, “What's all this giggling?” Tommy shows Mommy the hat. “We are sharing the hat, Mommy! It makes us all laugh.”
Mommy smiles and sits down. “Can I try the hat too?” she asks. Tommy puts the hat on Mommy's head. She looks very silly. Everyone laughs again. The room feels warm and safe.
The wind whispers outside, but inside it is cozy and bright. Candy wrappers rustle. Mia shares a tiny pumpkin cookie with Tommy. Tommy shares his hat with everyone. “Sharing is fun!” says Tommy.
The friends sit together, snuggled close. The moon shines in. Shadows dance, but no one is scared. They are too busy giggling.
It is time for bed. Tommy yawns. Mommy tucks him in and kisses his cheek. “Goodnight, little pumpkin,” she whispers. Tommy smiles, holding Mr. Cuddles.
Outside, the Halloween night is soft and gentle. Tommy dreams of hats, laughter, and sharing with friends.
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