Toby the Teddy sat on the soft blue rug, his button eyes fixed on the shiny red train. It zipped along the track, chugging happily as Mia pushed it around the room. Toby wanted a turn. He wanted one right now.
Toby wiggled and bounced, his paws twitching with excitement. He almost reached out, almost, but then he remembered what Mama Bear had said that morning: “Good things come to those who wait.” Toby wasn’t sure how waiting could be good. Waiting felt wobbly and slow, like standing still when music was playing.
So Toby tried something new. He took a deep breath. Then another. He hugged his soft belly and counted quietly in his head. One… two… three…
While he waited, Toby noticed things he hadn’t before. The train made a cheerful click-clack sound as it passed over the bridge. Sunlight spilled through the window, making warm squares on the floor. Mia laughed when the train went “too fast” and tipped over. Toby smiled. Watching was nice, too.
When Mia finished a lap, she looked up. “Your turn, Toby!” she said, placing the train gently in his paws.
Toby felt something surprising. The waiting, those deep breaths and quiet moments, had made his turn feel extra special. The train felt heavier and shinier than before. Toby pushed it slowly, savouring each chug and choo as it went around the track.
Soon, it was time to share again. Toby paused. His turn wasn’t over yet but he remembered how good it felt to be patient. He rolled the train back to Mia. “Your turn,” he said softly.
Mia beamed. “Thanks, Toby!”
They played like that for a long while taking turns, laughing and sometimes waiting. Each wait felt easier than the last. Each turn felt brighter.
That night, as Toby snuggled into bed, he thought about the day. Waiting didn’t mean missing out. It meant making space, for others, for kindness and for joy to grow.
Toby closed his eyes, smiling. Tomorrow, he decided, he would practice waiting again. After all, waiting could feel good, too.