‘Perhaps,’ said Barnaby, stretching another elegant stretch, ‘you might enjoy a story from the Children’s Kingdom. Their tales are often the clearest, full of simple truths and unconditional joys.’ He led Lucy to a brighter corner of the library, where the shelves were lower and the sandwiches were smaller, often cut into charming shapes like stars and hearts.
Lucy’s eyes lit up. She saw a tiny sandwich, perfectly square, with no crusts at all. It was a peanut butter and jelly sandwich, made with the softest white bread. It looked so very comforting and familiar, like a warm hug from Mother. She picked it up, feeling its gentle softness in her small hands.
She took a bite, and the taste was pure sunshine and warmth, sweet and smooth and utterly delightful. And the story that unfolded was just as lovely. She saw two tiny creatures, a fluffy brown bunny named Pip and a mischievous little squirrel named Squeaky. Pip had lost his favorite bluebell, and Squeaky had helped him search for it, even though it meant missing his own delicious acorn.