SpongeBob's Cold

SpongeBob woke up one morning feeling terrible. His nose was stuffed up, his throat hurt, and he couldn't stop sneezing.

"ACHOO!" SpongeBob sneezed so hard he bounced off his bed.

"Gary," SpongeBob said with a sniffly voice, "I don't feel so good."

Gary meowed worriedly and slithered over to the phone. He somehow managed to call Sandy.

Twenty minutes later, Sandy knocked on the door wearing her air helmet and carrying a medical kit.

"SpongeBob! Gary called and told me you were sick!" Sandy said, hurrying inside.

SpongeBob was lying on the couch wrapped in three blankets, looking miserable. "I have a cold, Sandy. I feel awful!"

"Let me take a look at you, little buddy." Sandy checked his temperature. "Yep, you've got a fever. But don't worry - I know exactly what you need!"

Sandy went to the kitchen and made SpongeBob a warm cup of tea with honey. "Drink this. It'll help your throat feel better."

SpongeBob took a sip. "Mmm, that does feel nice."

"Now," Sandy said, pulling out some cold medicine from her kit, "take this medicine. It tastes a little yucky, but it'll help you feel better faster."

SpongeBob made a face but swallowed the medicine. "Blech!"

"I know, I know. Now the most important part - you need to rest and sleep. Your body needs time to fight off that cold."

"But I'm supposed to work at the Krusty Krab today!" SpongeBob protested weakly.

"Not today, you're not. I already called Mr. Krabs and told him you're sick. He said to take all the time you need."

Sandy tucked SpongeBob into his bed with his blankets and his favorite stuffed animal. She dimmed the lights and opened a window just a crack for fresh air.

"Now close your eyes and get some sleep," Sandy said softly.

"Will you stay until I fall asleep?" SpongeBob asked with a sniffle.

"Of course I will, SpongeBob. That's what friends are for."

Sandy sat in a chair next to his bed and hummed a gentle Texas lullaby. Within minutes, SpongeBob was fast asleep, breathing easier already.

Gary meowed quietly, which meant "Thank you."

"No problem, Gary," Sandy whispered. "You keep an eye on him, and I'll check back this afternoon."

By the next day, after lots of medicine, rest, and sleep, SpongeBob was feeling much better. And he made sure to thank Sandy for being such a good friend.

The End.