One beautiful morning, Nila looked up at the sky. She wanted to know what the sugary clouds tasted like. Nila was still very small and couldn’t fly up above the tall trees all by herself. She sat on the edge of the nest and stared at the purple distances.

Suddenly, a big, golden butterfly named Zari came out from behind a giant flower. Zari fluttered her wings and scattered sparkling flashes through the air. She came toward little Nila and, with a kind voice, said: “Hello, my friend!”

With her tiny feet, Zari lifted a magical dewdrop that looked like a diamond. She gave the drop to Nila. The dew smelled of spring flowers and dreams. Nila took the drop and enjoyed its coolness and sweetness.

Zari flew again and went up above a raspberry bush. With her wings, she started to dance to make Nila laugh. Golden sparkles from Zari’s wings rained down over Nila’s head and tickled her. Nila laughed from the bottom of her heart.

In her little heart, Nila felt something very good. She wanted to tell Zari how happy she was because of her gift and her game. But she still didn’t know a word to show all that joy. Nila only looked at her new friend with kindness.

Zari realized that Nila wanted to say something. She sat gently on the edge of the nest and whispered: “Dear Nila, when someone gives us a gift or makes us happy, there is a magical word that lights up hearts. That word is ‘Thank you.’”

Nila closed her eyes and tried to repeat the word. She took a deep breath and, in a soft, sing-song voice, said: “Tha... nk... yo... u, kind Zari!” The moment she said that word, a little bud sprouted on the branch of a tree.

Hearing Nila’s first word made Zari very happy. She hugged Nila with her soft wings. The whole forest seemed to shine brighter after hearing that beautiful word. Now Nila knew how powerful kind words are.

Little by little, the sun hid behind the sugary mountains. Nila, with her head resting on her soft feathers, repeated to herself: “Thank you.” With a smile on her lips and a heart full of stars, she fell asleep in her warm nest.