Room for Three Green Stars

Hugo sat on his bedroom rug with Mia. Paper and crayons lay between them. They were making crowns for their stuffed animals. Hugo had made a wide yellow one for his bear. Mia was folding a crown for herself. She pressed each fold flat with her thumb.

On the front, she drew three green stars. She made each point reach right to the edge of its little space. Then she put the paper crown on her head and sat up tall. Hugo looked up with a grin.

"A cabbage hat!" he said. The words came out quickly. He expected Mia to laugh with him. But Mia took off her crown. She covered one green star with her finger. Her mouth bent down, and she looked at the rug.