The sun peeked over the snowy trees. Arsi the little owl woke up. He yawned a big yawn. Everything outside was white. Arsi was white too. He looked at his feathers. He wished they were colorful. Like the other owls at school. He felt sad. Today was almost Valentine's Day. He wanted to give Lila a valentine. But he was scared. What if she didn't like him? What if she laughed at his white feathers? He sighed and hopped out of bed. He needed to talk to his mother. Maybe she could help. Arsi slowly walked downstairs and wished his feathers could be different colors. Red like berries. Or yellow like sunshine. Oh dear, he was feeling blue again. He hoped his mother could offer some good advice before she went to work.
Arsi found Mother Foa in the kitchen. She was making warm oat porridge. It smelled yummy. "Good morning, Arsi," she chirped. "What's making you so glum?" Arsi told her about Lila. And about his white feathers. "I wish I was colorful!" he exclaimed. Mother Foa smiled gently. She poured him a bowl of porridge. "Arsi," she said. "Lila likes you for who you are. Not for the color of your feathers.” She gave him a warm hug. “Your feathers are only one part of you. You are kind and smart and brave. That’s what matters, not the colors.” Mother Foa looked at him with kind eyes. "Sometimes, brave hearts don't need colors to shine," Mother Foa said softly. He ate his porridge carefully and was beginning to consider what his mother had told him. Maybe he could be brave.
Arsi thought about Mother Foa's words all the way to school. He still wanted to be colorful. But maybe he could show Lila his colors in a different way. He walked into the classroom. All the other owls were busy making valentines. There were red hearts and pink flowers everywhere. Arsi had an idea. He went to the art table. There were paints and brushes. He picked up a brush and dipped it in blue paint. Then he found shiny glitter. Arsi carefully crafted a valentine for Lila. The white card soon exploded with color. He painted blue skies and green trees. It was a wintery version of all the things of springtime that he liked.
Arsi worked very hard on his valentine. He drew little flowers with pink and yellow petals. Small red berries hung from branches that drooped. The card was filled with sunshine and warmth. It had red and pinks and greens. His valentine was bursting with light from the paints he brushed on with care. It felt like spring had come early. When he was finished, he sprinkled glitter on it. The glitter sparkled in the light. He took a deep breath and set to work writing a letter to go inside. He wrote, "Dear Lila, you are the sunshine in my day." He signed it, "From Arsi." Writing the note made him feel better.
Arsi held the valentine tightly in his claw. It was time to give it to Lila. He felt nervous. His tummy felt like it had butterflies in it. He saw Lila sitting at her desk. She was drawing hearts. He took a deep breath and walked over to her. "Hi, Lila," he said softly. Lila looked up and smiled. "Hi, Arsi!" He handed her the valentine. "Happy Valentine's Day." Lila took the valentine. Her eyes opened wide. "Wow, Arsi! This is so beautiful!" She gazed at how he sprinkled glitter and added his personal touch. She really appreciated him making her something special and colorful. Arsi blushed. He was so happy she liked it.
Lila gently took Arsi's hand while examining the card. "Arsi, I like your white feathers," she said. "They are special. Just like you!" Arsi smiled. He felt warm inside. He didn't need colorful feathers to be special. Lila liked him just the way he was. He felt happy and proud. It was the best Valentine's Day ever. Arsi and Lila sat side-by-side. Together they continued painting bright sunshine colored drawings on the snowy winter canvas that the classroom had now become. He had found a way to add light to their wintery classroom. That day, Arsi learned that true colors come from the heart. The others began to appreciate Arsi, and he made a lot more friends. Soon, no one had to ask who he was ever again.
Arsi, a little white owl, longs for colorful feathers like his classmates, especially as Valentine's Day approaches. He fears Lila won't like him because of his appearance. He sought advice from Mother Foa, who reminds him that his kindness and bravery are what truly matter. Inspired, Arsi crafts a colorful valentine for Lila, showcasing his inner colors through art. Lila loves the valentine and appreciates Arsi for who he is. Arsi learns that true beauty comes from within, not from outer appearance, leading to a heartwarming Valentine's Day.