Splodge

One morning Bluebell feels a little too dark and deep, like the sea at night. "I wish I could be the colour of the sky," says Bluebell.

"I can help," says Splodge, wobbling over. "Watch." And Splodge gives Bluebell a gentle hug in the mixing well.

Swirl, swirl, swirl.

Bluebell turns lighter and softer, the soft blue of a morning sky. "Ooh," says Bluebell. "I feel like a sunny day."

"That's my idea," says Splodge, very pleased. "A little dab of white makes any colour lighter. Not gone, not new, just softer."

Then Scarlet wants a turn. Splodge hugs Scarlet, just a little, and Scarlet turns pink, like a petal. Splodge hugs a little more, and Scarlet turns paler still, like a seashell.

"A little white, a little lighter," sings Splodge. "More white, lighter still. And I never rush. One dab at a time, so you can see it change."

That is Splodge's soft idea.

A little white makes a colour lighter and softer.