The warm spring sun was shining outside, and little Nadia, wanting to play with her mates, approached her mum with a smile.
Can I go out to the yard to play with the kids?
Nadia asked excitedly.
Of course, my darling, but put on your cardigan. The wind's a bit cool and you might catch a cold.
Mum replied caringly.
Alright, Mum.
The girl said happily.
Running quickly down the stairs in the building, Nadia found herself in the yard where the kids had already gathered.
How about we play hide and seek?
A boy with lovely freckles called out.
Yeah, let's!
The others cheerfully agreed.
Nadia wanted to hide so well that no one could find her, and she spotted a tree—tall and mighty. As she climbed up it, she accidentally caught her cardigan on a branch, and a button tore off her pretty outfit.
No worries! The cardigan still looks good!
Nadia thought.
After playing to her heart's content, the girl headed home. After tea, she soon fell asleep, and had a strange dream. Nadia was sitting on a bench when she suddenly heard sobbing and quiet crying. She walked towards where the sounds were coming from. Approaching the tree and looking down at the slightly visible root of the mighty plant, she saw a tiny button.
It seemed to come alive, and its crying made Nadia ask:
What are you doing here? Why are you crying? Who's upset you?
I'm lost. My brothers and sisters are far away now, and I'm stuck here. How will I manage without them?
Do you really have brothers and sisters?
Nadia asked thoughtfully.
Yes!
The button answered, sobbing.
We all look so much alike, you see.
The round little thing whispered sadly.
But how did you end up here, under this tree?
Nadia persisted.
I was playing so happily, spinning round and round and... I came off. And no one picked me up. My family's gone far away and I'll never see them again.
The button said sadly.
How can that be?
Nadia cried out in dismay.
That's just how it is! No one will help me.
The button sighed.
Nadia heard the button's crying grow fainter and fainter, until finally it disappeared completely.
Waking up, she whispered frantically: It's my fault the button lost its family. I need to help it.
She jumped out of bed and rushed eagerly to the kitchen, where Mum was already preparing brekkie for her daughter.
Mum, I need to go outside right now!
Nadia burst out.
Hold on, sunshine, you can't do that. You need to wash up first, have breakfast, and then you can go out to the yard.
But Mum!
The girl protested, but looking into her mum's eyes, she understood there was no point arguing.
After washing up and enjoying the delicious treats Mum had prepared, Nadia quickly headed outside. Running to the very tree where she'd hidden from her mates yesterday, and which she'd seen in her dream, she began searching anxiously for the button, slightly out of breath.
Where is it? I was here yesterday!
Nadia whispered, afraid she wouldn't find the button.
Oh yes! I threw it over there, further away.
The girl remembered.
Rushing from the tree, Nadia began a long search for the button. In her ears rang the button's crying that she'd heard in her dream. She was so afraid she wouldn't find what she'd lost, but then her gaze fell on a small twig lying carelessly on the ground. Moving it aside, Nadia saw the precious little thing.
There it is! I'll help you now.
Nadia said happily.
Running home, Nadia thought worriedly: But how will I help the button? I don't know how to sew.
Mum, is sewing hard?
Her daughter asked.
No. You just need to be careful and neat. And everything will work out.
Mum answered calmly.
Teach me to sew!
Nadia declared confidently.
Sew? Well, alright, sit down at the table and I'll fetch the sewing box.
Mum said, slightly startled.
Mum went to the other room, and Nadia pulled her chair up to the table and waited impatiently for her sewing lesson.
Opening the box, a magical world of sewing crafts opened before Nadia's eyes. There were threads shimmering in the light, needles carefully pinned into a little cushion, big scissors, and lots of different ribbons and beads.
Right then, let's begin!
Mum said cheerfully.
They sat at the table for ages. Nadia tried desperately to learn to sew, constantly thinking about the poor button. She so wanted to help the little thing, but sadly, nothing was working—the thread wouldn't cooperate, the needle kept pricking her, and the scissors were really hard to hold.
After much struggling, Nadia finally started making even stitches, and she quickly sewed the button onto the cardigan.
I'm so glad I learnt to sew! And most importantly, I helped the button—now it's back with its family.
