This book is dedicated to my mom Virginia Gulledge who gave me the nickname Debalina. I love you mom!

Copyright 2016

 Little Debalina stretched and looked at her alarm clock. Oh No! It was time to get up and go to school. Except Debalina didn't want to go to school. Why? Because she didn't want to leave Holly Hobby alone.Holly was almost as big as her with a bonnet and brown hair made of yarn that stuck out from the bottom of her bonnet. Holly had large rosy cheeks with large brown eyes and a nice smile. Holly wore a floral dress with white pantaloons and black shoes. Holly was Debalina's best friend.

“Debalina! Are you awake, sweetheart?” Mom called out. Quickly, Debalina jumped into bed and pulled the covers over her head. She could hear her mother’s footsteps.The door opened and Mom saw a lump in the middle of the bed. "Debalina, honey, you're going to be late for school if you don't get up now."

From beneath the blanket, Debalina said, "I don't feel so good, mommy."

“Oh? I bet it was all that candy you ate at Grandma’s house.” Mom sat on the bed and pulled the covers off Debalina. “Oh, my! You are all red!" "You can stay home on one condition..." Mom said.

"What's that?" Debalina asked.

"You have to stay in your room. No watching tV or going outside," Mom added.

With those words, Debalina popped her head out of the covers.

"I promise, mommy." Debalina replied.

"Good. Then I'll go downstairs and make you some tea for your belly ache. Holly can keep you company."

Mom leaned over and kissed Debalina on her forehead then left the room.

Debalina sprung out of bed and danced with Holly around the room. “We did it, Holly! I can stay home with you and keep you company! We can play Prairie House!”Debalina twirled and twirled until she got so dizzy and fell to the floor laughing. "I need to get ready for Prairie House."

Debalina stood and put Holly in a chair. "First I have to make my bed." Debalina pulled the covers up and smoothed it with her hands.

Debalina then pulled her hamper to the bed. She opened the lid and pulled out her dirty clothes. She placed them in a neat pile on the floor. Debalina loved her hamper almost as much as Holly. The hamper was made of white metal and the lid looked like marble. It had small yellow flowers on the lid and along the bottom. Debalina begged her mom to buy it when she saw it in the store. She said it would go perfect with her room.

Debalina lifted the hamper onto the bed. She grabbed Holly and threw her inside. "You'll be safe in there, Holly." Debalina climbed onto the bed. The hamper rocked back and forth.Debalina climbed into the hamper and cracked an invisible whip onto the invisible horses. "Giddy up! The Indians are coming! We have to get away!" The hamper rocked back and forth faster and faster. "This is fun, Holly!"