Louisa’s Christmas Surprise

On Christmas morning, Louisa got ready to open her last present. It was heavy, and tall; the size of a kitchen stool. 

She’d been waiting to open it ever since she’d peeked down the hallway that morning, but mom had asked her to save it for last. Now everyone was staring at her as she adjusted her wheelchair closer to the mysterious box.

“Ready?” she said?

“READY!” they all called back.

Louisa tore the paper off and was greeted by lights and sounds. 

“Hello Louisa,” said the object. “I’ve been waiting to meet you!”

Louisa dropped the paper  and realized she was staring into the face of a robot!

“You seem speechless,” said the Robot. “Let’s start with names. I’m Alison. And I’m here to help you with all sorts of things.”

Louisa looked at her mom.

“Really? I get my OWN robot?”

“You’ve been waiting long enough,” said mom. “And now you’re ready to take care of Alison, while Alison helps you take care of things you need too!”

Louisa gave her mom a hug. “What can you do Alison?”

Alison scrunched the wrapping paper into a tiny ball and threw it to Louisa who caught it.

“I can do that!” Said Alison. “I can help you put your clothes away, and make the bed, and I can even tutor you when you do your homework. But sorry, I won’t tell you all the answers!”

“What else?” Asked Louisa,

“Oh, there’s so much I can do for you Louisa. But mostly, I can be a friend. I can introduce you to other kids, and get you snacks. I can do magic tricks, I can play music, and I can read you stories. I can help you stand up, and sit down, and get into your chair. And I never get bored, or tired, or annoyed. And they tell me I’m pretty funny too!”

Louisa looked at Alison, with her happy face, and pastel finish. She threw her arms around Allison.

“Come on,” said Louisa, “let’s go outside and play!’

“Let’s go!” Said Allison,”

She opened the sliding glass door, took Louisa’s hand, and they glided off down the ramp together. 

The end