How come playing is so much fun? Jackson wondered, pushing his toy car across the living room floor. He loved racing it with his dad, making engine noises and giggling when it crashed into the sofa cushions. "Daddy, why do we like to play?"
Dad chuckled, parking his imaginary car beside Jackson's. "Well, buddy, playing makes us happy! It helps us learn and grow."
Jackson tilted his head. "Like how?"
"Like how to use our imaginations!" Dad scooped him up. "Want to hear a story about a dragon who loved to play?"
Jackson’s eyes widened. “Yes, please!”
"This dragon," Dad began, settling Jackson on his lap, "lived on a giant, erupting volcano! It was a sight to see, with bright red lava flowing down its sides."
“Wow!”
"Now, this dragon, his name was Sparky, loved to play hide-and-seek. But because he was so big and colorful, no one could ever find him!"
Jackson giggled. He knew how Sparky felt; sometimes he hid so well even *he* couldn't find himself!
"One day," Dad continued, "a little fairy named Flicker landed on Sparky's tail. 'Why are you so sad?' she asked."
"'No one wants to play hide-and-seek with me,' Sparky sighed, a puff of smoke coming from his nostrils. 'They say I'm too easy to spot.'"
Flicker thought for a moment, then her wings fluttered excitedly. “I have an idea! We can make you a magical cloak that makes you invisible!”
And so they did! Flicker used her fairy magic to spin a shimmering cloak from moonlight and shadows. As soon as Sparky put it on, he vanished!
"Wow!" Jackson whispered, clutching his robot arm.
Dad winked. "I know, right?"
“Did Sparky finally get to play hide-and-seek?”
“He did! He flew down to the village, completely invisible, and yelled, ‘Come find me!’ Everyone was so confused! They looked and looked, giggling at how good Sparky was at hiding."
Jackson laughed, imagining the villagers searching high and low. He bet they even looked behind the erupting volcano!
"Finally," Dad said, "Sparky took off his cloak. 'Boo!' he shouted playfully. Everyone cheered! They had so much fun playing with Sparky, even if he wasn't very good at hiding anymore."
Jackson smiled. Even dragons liked to play! He looked up at his dad. "Playing is the best, right?"
“It sure is," Dad agreed, kissing the top of Jackson's head. “And you know what else? Playing together makes it even more fun!” He tickled Jackson, making him erupt in giggles. They spent the rest of the afternoon building a pillow fort, their laughter echoing through the house, proving that even in a normal city like Philadelphia, a little bit of magic could always be found in playing together.
