Little Bone was blue, made of plush, with a patch on one ear. It wasn't Pigúiça's biggest toy, or her prettiest. But it was her favorite. It slept with her every night, and it heard all her secrets.
That afternoon, Pigúiça played in the field, chased butterflies, rolled in the grass, and only when it was time to go home did she notice: her paw was empty.
“My Little Bone!” she cried. “It's gone!” Her chin began to tremble. Tears filled her blue eyes, and Pigúiça cried, sitting in the middle of the field, with the pink sky growing dark.
Fofuxo came over, sat beside her, and waited without saying anything until the crying eased. “It hurts, doesn't it?” he said. “A lot,” sniffled Pigúiça. “He's my friend. And I lost him.”
“It's sad, for sure,” said Fofuxo. “Want to try to find him? I know a trick.” “What?” “We breathe three times. Then we remember, step by step, where you went today. Little Bone must be in one of those places.”
Pigúiça breathed: one, two, three. Her mind grew clearer, like the water of a stream after the mud settles.
“This morning, he was with me in bed,” she said. “Then I took him to the forest... Then I climbed the tree... Then I lay down near a giant flower and...” “And?” asked Fofuxo. “And I watched the bees! It was there!”
The two of them went to the forest, passing between the pine trees, with the sun already low between the mountains. They reached the giant flower.
And there was a sad little bug, curled up right on top of the flower, holding something blue that was bigger than she was. “My Little Bone!” said Pigúiça.
The little bug lifted her head. It was a ladybug, with teary eyes. Her name was Lily. “I found him,” said Lily, very softly. “I found him this morning. I wanted to take him to his owner, but he was too heavy, and I didn't know where she lived. So I stayed here, waiting for someone to come.”
Pigúiça felt her chest grow warm. She carefully picked up Little Bone and hugged him tight. “Thank you, Lily. You took care of him all day long.”
“Would you like to visit us tomorrow?” invited Fofuxo. The ladybug smiled for the first time. She climbed onto Fofuxo's back, and the three of them walked home quietly while the first stars appeared.
That night, Pigúiça slept with Little Bone in her arms. She thought that losing something you love gives your heart a squeeze. But breathing, remembering, and looking calmly helps you find the way back.
Little Bone heard all of the day's secrets. And Pigúiça fell asleep.
