There once was a little robot named Robbie.
Robbie could do everything: turn nuts, solder wires, wind up springs. But there was one thing he couldn't do—smile.
"Why are you so serious?" the toys would ask.
Robbie just shrugged. He didn't know how.
One day, a bunny named Flopsy came to Robbie. Flopsy held a broken toy car in his paws.
"Robbie, help! My car won't go!" cried the bunny.
Robbie took the car. With a tiny key, he opened the cover and looked inside. Something was stuck.
"Don't cry," said Robbie. "I'll fix it."
He pulled out a pebble from under the wheel, tightened a screw—and the car zoomed off!
Flopsy hopped for joy.
"Thank you!" he shouted, and gave Robbie a great big hug.
And then something wonderful happened. Inside Robbie's chest, it felt like something clicked. Warmth spread all through him. And the little robot smiled for the very first time.
From then on, all the toys knew: Robbie could fix anything, and his smile was the most precious thing of all.
They often came to him: Masha the doll with a broken arm, Teddy the bear missing a button, the sailboat with a torn sail. Robbie helped everyone. And after every "thank you," his heart glowed warmer.
One evening, Robbie sat on the shelf, watching the stars. Flopsy sat beside him.
"You can smile now, can't you?" asked Flopsy.
Robbie nodded.
"It's because you have a heart," whispered the bunny.
Robbie patted his chest and felt a gentle warmth under the metal plate. His heart hummed softly.
The room grew very quiet, and the stars twinkled outside the window.