Gregory's favorite toy was his stuffed giraffe named Patches. He took Patches with him everywhere he went. If Gregory and his family went out for supper to a nice restaurant, Patches went too. If they went to the amusement park, Patches went on all the rides with Gregory. The giraffe slept in the bed with him and even had its own pillow.

One day Gregory woke up with a high fever. His mother said, “I'm taking you to the doctor.”

Gregory felt so sick that he forgot about Patches and left him sleeping on the bed.

The doctor said that Gregory had to have his tonsils taken out and that he'd have to stay over night in the hospital.

Gregory cried and cried. He didn't want to be sick and have his tonsils out. He wanted to go home.

His mother didn't know what to do for him.

Later that evening Gregory's father came to visit. “I've got something for you,” he said. He showed Gregory the giraffe.

“Patches!” Gregory took the giraffe from his father and stopped crying.

The next morning he had his tonsils taken out and when he woke up, who was there to greet him? Patches.