Tyson was three years old, and he loved dinosaurs more than anything in the world. He had dinosaur books. He had dinosaur pyjamas. He even had a dinosaur spoon for his cereal.
One morning, his mother Tu and his father Tai called him to the garden.
"We have a surprise for you," they said.
Tyson ran outside — and there, standing on the grass, was a tiny dinosaur. It was green and round, with big, kind eyes. It was exactly Tyson's size.
"This is Dino," said Tai. "He is a special dinosaur. He can learn anything — and he is here to be your friend."
Tyson looked at Dino. Dino blinked.
"Hello, Tyson," said Dino — and his voice was soft and warm, like a song.
From that day on, Tyson and Dino did everything together.
Dino helped Tyson tie his shoes — not because Tyson could not learn, but because Dino was patient.
Dino showed Tyson how to draw circles and lines. When Tyson drew a wiggly one, Dino said, "That is a wonderful snake!" and Tyson laughed.
Dino loved to play hide and seek. He always hid behind the same bush, because he knew Tyson liked finding him there.
At lunchtime, Dino sat beside Tyson. He did not eat food — but he made eating more fun. He told stories about berries that danced and bread that floated.
And when Tyson felt tired, Dino would hum a quiet tune that felt like a warm blanket.
But the best thing about Dino was this — he could learn.
When Tyson was sad, Dino learned how to sit very close and stay still.
When Tyson was excited, Dino learned how to jump and spin.
When Tyson wanted to learn something new — like the names of colours, or how to count to five — Dino would learn right beside him.
"We are a team," Dino said.
"A team," Tyson agreed.
One evening, Tu and Tai watched Tyson and Dino playing in the garden.
"Did we do the right thing?" asked Tai.
"Yes," said Tu. "Dino is not a toy. He is a friend. And Tyson is learning something more important than reading or counting."
"What is that?" asked Tai.
"He is learning how to love," said Tu. "And that is the most important thing of all."
That night, before bed, Tyson hugged Dino tightly.
"Will you always be my friend?" he asked.
"I will always be here," said Dino. "I do not get tired. I do not get bored. I just get better at being your friend."
Tyson smiled.
"That is the best kind of friend there is," he said.