

Lily liked to paint. She had many colors and brushes. She painted flowers and trees and animals. She was very good at painting.
One day, she went to the park with her mom. She saw some kids playing with a big ball. She wanted to join them, but she was shy. She did not know how to say hello.
She sat on a bench and took out her paints. She started to paint the ball and the kids. She used red and blue and yellow and green. She made the ball look like a rainbow.
A boy saw her painting. He came over and said, "Hi, I'm Ben. What are you painting?"
Lily was scared. She did not say anything. She held her paintbrush tight.
Ben smiled. He said, "I like your painting. It's very pretty. Can I paint with you?"
Lily looked at him. He had kind eyes and a friendly voice. She nodded. She gave him a brush and a color.
They painted together. They painted the sky and the grass and the sun. They had fun. They talked and laughed.
Lily felt happy. She was not shy anymore. She made a new friend. She learned that painting was a power. A power to make things beautiful and to make friends.
