A long time ago, there was a story. A story about two friends and how they came to know each other.

(Was it a good story?)

Of course. I wouldn't have mentioned it if it wasn't. Now as I was saying-

(What's the story about?)

I'll tell you when I start the story! Now do you want to hear this story or not?

(I do.)

Alright. Then shut-up and pay attention.

(Okay.)

Now then. This story began on a late night in Sweden. It was pouring outside and almost everyone had retreated inside to escape the rain. There was however a very small someone that simply could not. This small someone was very strange. He was small, with no arms and stubby legs. His skin looked like clean white porcelain but felt like the softest of silk. He had a constantly blank face and was almost completely hairless.

(Almost?)

Yes, almost. He did have one hair. A single hair that stood up on his little round head.

(How small was he?)

Less than a foot high. He wouldn't even reach your knee.

(Really?!)

Yup. Now stop interrupting!

(Sorry.)

You better be. As I was saying. This strange little someone was sitting outside, leaning on a cold brick wall, as the rain poured over him. He shivered from the cold but did not move otherwise. He had nowhere else to go. No home. No family. He was all alone in a world that was far too big for him. Too big for such a little guy like him. So he sat there all alone for a long time. But then something happened. Another someone walked by and noticed him there. This someone was tall and held an umbrella above his head to keep himself dry. Because of how small he was, the much smaller someone could not see the taller someone's face. All he could see was a tall man with a mop of wild blonde hair under a large yellow umbrella. This taller someone stopped when he saw him. He stopped right beside him and looked down at the small wet creature on the ground. He didn't know what to make of him. He looked so small and delicate. Like a little porcelain figure. As the smaller someone shivered violently, the taller someone made a decision. He leaned down and held a hand out to him. The smaller someone looked at him with surprise. Nobody had ever offered him their hand before. People rarely even acknowledged him.

"I won't hurt you." The taller someone said kindly. "I promise."

The smaller someone looked at the offered hand for a moment. Then he did something he had never done before. He slowly got up and walked onto the offered hand. The taller man pulled him up and held him close to his chest. The smaller someone was shocked. This random person had offered him his hand and was now holding him close. He was protecting him from the rain. As the taller someone walked onward to an unknown location, the smaller someone was starting to shiver less and less. The taller someone was making him warm again. His heartbeat thrummed gently against him, singing him a wonderful lullaby he had never had the privilege of hearing before.

(Can I ask a question?)

*Sigh* Sure.

(The smaller guy, he had never touched someone before?)

Of course not.

(Why not?)

Because people consider things like the smaller someone strange. And most people don't like strange things.

(I like strange things.)

So do I. But most people don't. In fact, most people hate them.

(Really?)

Yes.

(So, nobody liked him?)

Not a single one until then.

(So the taller guy was the first?)

Yes he was. He was the very first person to ever come into contact with our strange little friend.

(Wow. So he was all alone until then?)

Yes.

(That's really sad. I would hate being all alone. Having no one there to help you when you need it. To comfort you. To laugh with you. To be all by yourself... I don't know what I would do...)

Being alone is a very sad thing. Nobody should be left completely alone. Everyone should have at least one person there for them. At least one person who cares.

(Yeah...*Yawn*)

Well, that should be enough story telling for tonight. Its time for you to go to sleep.

(But I want to know what happens.)

And you will, tomorrow. But until then, go to sleep. *tucks in*

(Alright. Goodnight uncle.)

Goodnight kid. Sweet dreams.