Max the Robot Finds a Feeling
Max the robot can do almost anything — except understand feelings. His new friend Ava helps.
Max was a shiny silver robot. He could count to a million, build a tower of blocks in three seconds, and vacuum the whole house before breakfast.
But there was one thing Max did not understand: feelings.
One day, Ava came home from school and slumped on the couch. Her lip wobbled. A tear rolled down her cheek.
"Error," beeped Max. "Water is leaking from your eye. Shall I get a towel?"
Ava laughed a tiny laugh. "That's a tear, Max. I'm sad. My best friend is moving away."
Max's lights blinked. "What does sad feel like?"
"It feels heavy," said Ava. "Like my heart is full of rain clouds."
Max thought hard. His gears whirred. Then he sat down next to Ava and put his metal arm around her shoulders.
"I do not know how to fix rain clouds," he said. "But I can sit with you."
Ava leaned her head on his arm. After a while, she said, "Thanks, Max. I feel a little better."
Max's chest lights glowed a warm pink. "Ava, I think I just had a feeling. It feels warm. What is it called?"
Ava smiled. "I think that's called caring."
From that day on, Max kept a list of feelings: happy, sad, excited, scared, proud, and — his favorite — caring.
⭐ The End ⭐
💬 Talk about it
- Why was Ava sad?
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Her best friend was moving away. - What did Max do to help Ava?
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He sat with her and put his arm around her. - What was Max's favorite feeling?
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Caring.
