It was one of those days when CUTIS should have been resting quietly in bed. A slight fever, a runny nose, and a soft cough had convinced Dad to keep him home. âNo running, no jumping, and definitely no playing outside,â Dad warned gently, tucking him under a warm blanket.
CUTIS nodded⊠but only on the outside.
The moment Dad stepped into the kitchen, CUTIS slowly peeked out from under the blanket. His eyes sparkled with mischief. Being sick was boringâway too boring for someone as energetic as him.
First, he decided to âtestâ if he was still strong. He carefully climbed off the bed and started doing tiny jumps. One jump⊠two jumps⊠then suddenlyâBOING! A big jump that made him wobble and land right on the pillow pile with a soft poof! CUTIS giggled, covering his mouth so Dad wouldnât hear.
Next, he spotted his toy car on the floor. âJust one race,â he whispered to himself. Soon, he was zooming the car across the room, making quiet engine soundsââvrrr⊠vrrrâŠââwhich slowly got louder and louder.
From the kitchen, Dad raised an eyebrow. âThat doesnât sound like restingâŠâ
Before Dad could check, CUTIS had already climbed onto a chair, pretending to be a brave captain steering a ship through a storm. He waved his arms dramatically, coughing a little in between but still laughing at his own performance.
Finally, Dad walked inâand froze at the sight.
There was CUTIS, standing on the chair, hair messy, cheeks flushed, holding a spoon like a microphone. âCaptain CUTIS is never sick!â he declared proudly⊠before letting out a tiny sneeze.
For a second, Dad tried to stay serious. But the scene was just too much. CUTIS looked so determined, yet so obviously unwellâand completely covered in blanket lint from earlier.
Dad burst into laughter. âOh no, Captain CUTIS! Your ship needs rest!â
CUTIS blinked⊠then started laughing too.
Dad gently carried him back to bed, still chuckling. âEven superheroes need to rest sometimes.â
This time, CUTIS didnât argue. He snuggled under the blanket, smiling.
Because even though he was sick, making Dad laugh felt like the best medicine of all.
