The Girl and the Blue Badger

On a rainy day, Lily pulls on her mustard yellow raincoat and green rubber boots, then splashes through every puddle along the path, feeling sure that such weather marks the beginning of something secret. Behind an old oak tree, that secret takes shape: a small badger with sky blue fur that glows softly, white stripes on his face, a grass satchel and a leaf tucked behind one ear. When the badger chirps and pats his satchel, Lily's curiosity grows stronger than her worry, and she follows him down a narrow tunnel beneath the roots.

The tunnel opens onto a vast underground garden, where pink, green and gold stones sparkle in the walls, mushrooms shine like tiny lamps and a silver stream bubbles past. Lily learns her new friend is called Bim, finds that the glowing stones grow warm in her hands, and gathers a small pile to admire. But Bim's glow starts to flicker and fade, and his own pebble has lost its shine. This gentle tale by Ebru Mina TOMURCUK follows Lily as she works out, through warmth and patient care, what her tired friend needs. It can be read on Onlinemasal Com.Tr.