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Pip's shadow, named Shade, was absolutely exhausted. For years, he had been mimicking Pip's every move. When Pip jumped, Shade jumped. When Pip wiggled his toes, Shade wiggled. It was monotonous work. So, one Tuesday, Shade decided to take a vacation. He packed a tiny suitcase (full of darkness) and slipped away, leaving behind a glowing, slightly clumsy replacement named Flicker.

Flicker was a nice guy, but he was terrible at being a shadow. When Pip walked down the hall, Flicker wobbled and bumped into the wall. When Pip tried to read a book, Flicker cast a bright light that made it impossible to see the words. Pip’s mom looked at him with a strange expression. "Are you… glowing?" she asked.

Pip looked down. His shadow was indeed shining brightly, like a firefly in a jar. Pip wiggled his toes. Flicker tried to wiggle but ended up doing a little jig instead. Pip giggled. He had a shadow that danced!

That evening, as Pip got ready for bed, Flicker began to fade, a dim little light in the corner. Pip felt a pang of sadness. He missed his old shadow, the one that knew all his secrets and never tripped over his feet. Just as he was about to get into bed, he heard a small scratching sound at the window. It was Shade, looking a little tired but happy. He was wearing a tiny sun hat.

"Hello," Shade whispered, his voice as soft as a breeze. "Vacation was nice, but I missed wiggling your toes."

Pip smiled and his shadow returned to its rightful place, a familiar, comforting darkness. As Pip fell asleep, Shade wiggled his toes in the darkness, a quiet, happy gesture of a shadow who was glad to be home.