The King Who Wouldn’t Try

Milo’s new house had a mailbox shaped like a little castle. One morning, a letter popped out and bonked him on the nose. It was sealed with a blue wax stamp from King Bramble! Inside, the King wrote: “I am trying my best… and I think I made a royal mistake.” Milo hurried to the town square and found King Bramble wearing his crown and… carrying a broom. “I promised to help,” the King said, “but my crown keeps sliding into the soup pot!” Today was the Lantern Market, where everyone traded skills instead of coins. Nana Pepple explained, “You earn lantern lights by helping others.” The King gulped, because he didn’t know what he was good at yet. A sudden gust whooshed through the square—WHOOSH!—and lanterns floated away like glowing balloons. Pip the Pigeon flapped down wearing a tiny paper cap and cooed, “Coo-coo! The wind stole your lights!” Then Pip pointed a wing toward the clock tower. At the clock tower, they discovered a new character: the Breeze Keeper, a shy kid with a giant leaf-fan. “I didn’t mean to take them,” the Breeze Keeper whispered, “I just wanted to practice making soft wind.” Milo said, “Let’s fix it together,” and the King nodded, even though he was scared of heights. Up the tower stairs, King Bramble’s slippers squeaked, but he kept going step by step. On the top balcony, he used his heavy robe like a blanket to catch drifting lanterns safely. “I did something useful!” he shouted, and Pip the Pigeon spun in a happy circle. Back at the Lantern Market, the lights returned, and everyone cheered. The Breeze Keeper traded a calm breeze for Milo’s help, and Nana Pepple traded warm cookies for the King’s brave lantern-catching. King Bramble bowed and said, “Today I earned my light,” and Milo whispered, “Trying is the richest thing.”