Once upon a time, there was a little girl named [Lily](5F3XJ7T5). [Lily](5F3XJ7T5) was five years old, and she had a big brother named [Max](C26J3NG2). [Max](C26J3NG2) was seven, and he was very special because he had something called autism.

[Max](C26J3NG2) was different from other kids, but [Lily](5F3XJ7T5) loved him just the way he was. Sometimes, [Max](C26J3NG2) didn’t like loud noises and would cover his ears. [Lily](5F3XJ7T5) knew that [Max](C26J3NG2)’s ears were very sensitive, so she always tried to be quiet when she played around him.

[Max](C26J3NG2) didn’t always like to play the same games as [Lily](5F3XJ7T5). He loved to line up his toy cars in a perfect row, and to [Lily](5F3XJ7T5), it looked like a big, colorful parade. Sometimes, she wanted to play with the cars too, but [Max](C26J3NG2) didn’t like it when they were moved.

One day, [Lily](5F3XJ7T5) asked her mom, 'Why doesn’t [Max](C26J3NG2) want to play with me like other brothers and sisters do?' Her mom smiled and said, '[Max](C26J3NG2)’s brain works in a special way. He likes things to be just right, and sometimes he needs his own space. But he loves you very much, [Lily](5F3XJ7T5).'

Even though [Max](C26J3NG2) didn’t always talk a lot, he had other ways of showing love. When [Lily](5F3XJ7T5) felt sad, [Max](C26J3NG2) would bring her favorite blanket or give her a big, warm hug. In those moments, [Lily](5F3XJ7T5) knew [Max](C26J3NG2) loved her in his own special way.

Sometimes, it was hard for [Lily](5F3XJ7T5). When they went to the park, [Max](C26J3NG2) didn’t like to play on the swings or slide. He preferred to watch the leaves on the trees or feel the grass with his fingers. [Lily](5F3XJ7T5) wished [Max](C26J3NG2) would play with her, but she also loved seeing him so happy with nature.

One day at school, [Lily](5F3XJ7T5)’s friend asked, 'Why doesn’t your brother talk like other kids?' [Lily](5F3XJ7T5) thought for a moment and then said, '[Max](C26J3NG2) talks in a different way. Sometimes he uses pictures, and sometimes he shows how he feels with his hands or his smile.'

[Lily](5F3XJ7T5) knew that [Max](C26J3NG2) was good at many things. He was really smart with numbers and could build amazing towers with his blocks. [Lily](5F3XJ7T5) loved watching him build, and sometimes, [Max](C26J3NG2) would let her add the very last block.

At night, before bed, [Lily](5F3XJ7T5) and [Max](C26J3NG2) had a special routine. They would each pick a book, and Mom or Dad would read them together. [Max](C26J3NG2) liked the same story every night, but [Lily](5F3XJ7T5) didn’t mind. She knew it made [Max](C26J3NG2) happy, and that made her happy too.

[Lily](5F3XJ7T5) learned that having a brother with autism was a little different, but it was also very special. [Max](C26J3NG2) helped her see the world in a new way—like noticing the small, beautiful things others might miss, like the sound of a bird singing or the feel of soft sand.