> > > The Princess and the Great North Star, Chapter Fourteen: “What’s a Dream?â€Â
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> > > Their surroundings seemed to consist of enthusiastically scribbled crayon colors and imaginatively molded clay shapes.
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> > > Sarah Shepherdson, the Probability Dancer, and Cinderbelle, the Christmas fairy, spotted a similarly composed figure approaching them, with a yellow face and an orange and green body.
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> > > “Hello?†Sarah called out to the strangely familiar character. “We were wondering if you could help us –â€Â
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> > > “Sleepy sleepy sleepy,†the dream being yawned, as he walked past Sarah and Cinderbelle without even registering their presence.
> > >
> > > Daddy, come quick! a small voice called out insistently. The sun is coming up again, and it is so pretty that you have to see it!
> > >
> > > Sarah and Cinderbelle realized that the voice was coming from the same direction where the person was headed, which they both deduced meant that he was probably “Daddy.†When they caught up with him, they found him picking up an infant from a sunlit crib and cradling her in his arms.
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> > > “Iris!†Daddy cheered, the line of his mouth curling into a smile, before he rubbed noses with her. “Love love love.â€Â
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> > > “Who dreams of themselves as Gumby?†Cinderbelle wondered.
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> > > “It’s not his dream, but hers,†Sarah recognized the baby.
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> > > Hello, Daddy, Iris Paintbrush Sunrise cooed in greeting. I love you too.
> > >
> > > Daddy plopped down in a lumpy but comfy-looking chair, facing the window which showed the morning sun, and picked up a book with no words but many eye-catching pictures. “Read read read,†Daddy told Iris his stories, as she snuggled into the crook of his arm.
> > >
> > > “Sniff sniff sniff,†a black and white dog padded into the room, before craning her neck up to reach Iris.
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> > > Hello, Doggy, Iris gurgled warmly, reaching out to touch Doggy’s wet nose. Have you made the Grumpy Man smile yet?
> > >
> > > “Love love love,†Doggy licked Iris’ face, tickling her enough that she giggled.
> > >
> > > Uh-oh, Iris worried suddenly. Daddy, I need to be changed now.
> > >
> > > “Iris?†Daddy inquired with concern, the line of his mouth curling into a curious, alarmed “O.†“Iris … sad?â€Â
> > >
> > > I’m not sad, Daddy, Iris tried to explain, not without a touch of impatience. I just need changing.
> > >
> > > “Sad sad sad,†Daddy mourned, the line of his mouth curling into a frown, as huge teardrops rolled down his cheeks.
> > >
> > > As Iris tossed and turned, she glimpsed Sarah and Cinderbelle. Can you help? she pleaded. I don’t want Daddy to be upset.
> > >
> > > When Sarah reached out to Iris, Daddy and Doggy finally noticed the two intruders in their midst.
> > >
> > > “Stranger!†Daddy exclaimed, clutching Iris close to his chest. “Protect protect protect!â€Â
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> > > “Protect protect protect!†Doggy echoed in growls.
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> > > “Friend!†Sarah held up her hands, as Cinderbelle cowered behind her. Sarah leaned over to rub noses with Iris. “Love love love,†she beamed affectionately.
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> > > “Friend?†Daddy checked, before his “O†mouth curled into a frown again. “Help,†he begged Sarah, holding Iris out in front of him.
> > >
> > > Daddy and Doggy both watched anxiously as Sarah changed Iris’ diaper, but once Iris was clad in clean diapers, Daddy could tell that her mood had improved.
> > >
> > > “Iris … happy?†Daddy made sure.
> > >
> > > Yes, Daddy, Iris agreed, in a good-natured but slightly exasperated tone.
> > >
> > > “Happy happy happy!†Daddy hugged Iris tight in relief, before addressing Sarah. “Friend!†he named her, as earnest as ever.
> > >
> > > “Yes, anyway,†Cinderbelle sighed wearily, “if we’re through solving that crisis …â€Â
> > >
> > > “Iris?†Sarah attracted her attention again. “Have you seen any other … strangers, like us?â€Â
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> > > I see lots of Big People and Nice Ladies, Iris informed her simply, before cocking her head to one side. You look like a Nice Lady I know, but … different, she gazed at Sarah.
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> > > “No one who was … smaller, though?†Cinderbelle specified.
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> > > I see some smaller Big People, Iris recalled. Some of them are green, like some of the Nice Ladies. And there are Good Doggies too, she added, as Doggy wagged her tail.
> > >
> > > “He’s not here,†Cinderbelle concluded in disappointment. “In a dream like this, he’d stick out like a sore thumb.â€Â
> > >
> > > What’s … a dream? Iris’ eyes went wide.
> > >
> > > Sarah didn’t feel qualified to make such a concept comprehensible to a child so small that she hadn’t yet learned the difference between dreaming and waking. “Thank you for your help,†she stroked Iris’ smooth face instead. “We’re looking for someone like us, who’s … lost.â€Â
> > >
> > > He’s alone? Iris blinked. He must be so sad. His mommy and daddy too. I’d go with you to find him, but Daddy and I get sad when we’re away from each other. I have to protect him from his sadness. Him and Mommy. And Other Mommy, and Grandma, and all the other Big People and Nice Ladies who love me.
> > >
> > > “I understand,†Sarah kissed her tenderly on the cheek. “You look after them good, okay?†she tapped Iris softly on the tip of her nose.
> > >
> > > I will, Iris waved her tiny hand. Bye-bye, Nice Lady.
> > >
> > > “Bye-bye, Iris,†Sarah swallowed against the lump that was welling up in her throat, covertly wiping at her eyes as she took Cinderbelle by the hand and led her into the next dream.
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