During the winter, the biting cold wind howled and whooshed through the air, chilling the house where Bi Bi resided. She covered herself up to her neck with a cozy blanket and whispered after a moment of warmth:

"Miss Chan, why are you so warm?"

Ms. Chan, in her gentle and comforting voice, replied:

"Because you carry the warmth of many people."

Observing Bi Bi's confusion, Ms. Chan explained:

"Firstly, I am made from cotton. People plant cotton seeds in fields and nurture them with continuous care, from watering to fertilizing. The sweat of many hands has soaked into the cotton plants and fibers. That's why, as a cotton thread, I hold the warmth of humanity."

Bi Bi lay silently, feeling progressively warmer despite the chilling weather. Ms. Chan continued:

"Furthermore, there are individuals who weave cotton fibers into fabric and craft blankets. The warmth of many hands is infused into the creation of a blanket like yours."

Understanding more clearly, Bi Bi inquired further:

"So, the warmth you provide me with is a collective warmth from people, right?"

Ms. Chan smiled and replied:

"Exactly, it's the warmth accumulated from many people that I can share to keep you warm."

As Bi Bi fell silent and contemplative, Ms. Chan asked:

"What's troubling you?"

With regret in her tone, Bi Bi admitted:

"There was a time when I was so restless in my sleep that I kicked you onto the floor. Were you cold then?"

Ms. Chan responded:

"Well, the ground is very cold, and the wind seeps in, so yes, I felt cold."

Determined, Bi Bi vowed:

"From now on, I won't kick you anymore!"

Ms. Chan expressed her gratitude:

"That's wonderful. Thank you!"

After lying in silence for a while, Bi Bi had one more question:

"Sister, when you fell to the ground, were you still warm when I put you back in bed with me?"

Ms. Chan kindly smiled:

"Yes, it's warm. I warm you, and you warm me."

Amid the gentle sounds and the comforting embrace of the blanket, Bi Bi gradually drifted into a deep sleep.

Near dawn, she was roused by a faint cry: "Oh, it hurts!" Bi Bi realized that she had unknowingly thrown off the blanket during her sleep and was now lying on one corner of it. Recalling Ms. Chan's story, Bi Bi sat up, adjusted the blanket to cover herself, and made a promise to lie still when sleeping to prevent Ms. Chan from falling to the ground.

Tranh minh họa do Bing vẽ