In front of his beloved Mama, Bao Bei placed a huge pile of sweets.
The people from the fortress, the older sisters, big brothers and kind uncles—had all given them to him.
As they patted his head, they said things like, "Welcome back, Bao Bei," and "I'm so glad you're safe."
Everyone at the fortress was kind.
They were all good people.
None of them was scary.
Bao Bei had gotten so many sweets that he couldn't carry them all, so Cymet helped and brought them to the room for him.
"Mama, look! There's so many of them you see? Please eat a lot. Everyone gave them to Bao Bei. Now we won't be hungry anymore, right? And nothing's scary anymore."
His mother smiled gently.
Her voice echoed softly in Bao Bei's head like a whisper only he could hear.
"Bao Bei, I'm so happy. Thank you for all these sweets. My belly is full. Thank you, Bao Bei. You've made your Mama very happy."
Overwhelmed with joy, Bao Bei burrowed into his mother's white belly.
