Ava's Dummy Day

Warm sun spilled across the bedroom floor.

Ava sat in the bright patch with Ellie the Eagle.

Ellie was soft and brown, with a fluffy white head.

"Kee kee," sang Ava, and Ellie flew over the bed.

Swoop went Ellie, past the pillow.

Swoop went Ellie, past the sleepy teddy.

Swoop went Ellie, right onto Ava's knee.

Ava's dummy bobbed in her mouth, suck suck suck.

Mum came in and sat on the rug beside her.

"Today is our dummy day," said Mum softly.

Ava nodded slowly, because they had picked this day together.

Mum held up a little blue pouch with a yellow string.

"Your dummy can rest in here," said Mum.

Ava took her dummy out and looked at it.

It was a good dummy, round and friendly.

Ellie the Eagle nuzzled Ava's warm cheek.

"Kee kee, you can try," said Ellie.

Ava held the dummy near the pouch, then pulled it back.

"Not yet," said Ava, and hugged Ellie close.

Mum waited and gently stroked her hair.

The sun made a warm stripe on Ava's toes.

Ava looked at the pouch again, blue like the sky.

"Ellie, watch me," whispered Ava.

Slowly, slowly, Ava popped the dummy into the pouch.

Mum pulled the yellow string snug and tidy.

"Thank you, Ava," said Mum, and gave her a big hug.

Mum set the pouch high on the shelf, beside the lamp.

"A small thank-you will wait there in the morning," said Mum.

Ava waved at the little blue pouch.

"Bye bye, dummy, you were a good one," said Ava.

Her mouth felt quiet and a little bit funny.

Ellie spread her soft wings around Ava's shoulders.

"Kee kee, I am here," said Ellie, snuggly and warm.

Ava hugged Ellie back, tight and long.

Then Ava lifted Ellie high into the sunshine.

"Swoop!" said Ava, and off they flew.

Swoop went Ellie, past the pillow.

Swoop went Ellie, past the shelf and the lamp.

Ava peeked up at the blue pouch and smiled.

Swoop went Ellie, right back into Ava's arms.

Mum laughed, and the sun stayed warm on the rug.