Rosalita Loves The Dark

Rosalita Gómez was four years old yesterday.    
Her parents gave her a big birthday party. A delicious cake and three special presents.
Rosalita loved the funny Etch-A-Sketch toy.
She loved the pop-up music box.
She loved her Abuela’s gift the most. A plump Teddy Bear named Osito.    
Rosalita played with Osito until bedtime.    
But Rosalita did not want to go to bed.
“You are so sleepy, Pequeña,” said Mamá Gómez.
“Take Osito to bed with you,” said Grandmother.
But Rosalita refused to enter her room.    
“I hate the dark!” she cried.    
Rosalita would not go near the dark.
She would not let the dark into her room.   
She would not play outside until the dark was gone.
One night, Papá Gómez took Rosalita to the basement.    
At the bottom of the steps, they stopped.
“Look at the wall,” said Papá. “What do you see?”
“I see a dart board,” answered Rosalita. “And it glows in the dark!”    
She and Papá played Day-Glo dart games. Rosalita won every game.
“I’m starting to like the dark.”
Rosalita and Papá joined Mamá and Grandmother outside.    
“Listen to the Nightingale’s pretty song,” said Grandmother.
“Smell the lovely Night Jasmine flowers,” sighed Mamá.
“Can you count all those bright stars?” asked Papá.
Rosalita stopped at seven. There were just too many stars.
“Everything is so pretty at night!” she laughed.
At bedtime, Mamá tucked Rosalita in.   
She kissed her “goodnight” and started to leave.
“Mamá, wait!” shouted Rosalita. “Turn off the light!”
“Cariñito, are you sure?” Mamá asked.
“Yes!” said Rosalita. “There is so much to hear and smell…and see!”
“Osito and I LOVE the dark!”