Kylee and the Royal Riddle

Once upon a time, in the bustling hallways of Maplewood Middle School, a magical tale was about to unfold. Kylee, an adventurous 14-year-old, stumbled upon a mysterious riddle written on the back of her math homework. It read: “In a world full of jest, find the number that’s best, for at three, you will see, the magic set free.”

Intrigued, Kylee shared the riddle with her best friend, Carter, a boy with an infectious sense of humor and a knack for mischief. “Let’s solve it before Mrs. White catches us!” he exclaimed, waving his pencil flamboyantly.

That day in class, as Mrs. White explained the importance of the number three in math, Kylee suddenly realized that the riddle might not just be a silly game. What if it was something more? She quickly shared her discovery with Carter, who only chuckled, “That’s just a coincidence, Kylee!"

But deep down, Kylee felt it meant something special. During recess, they found themselves in the school garden, a hidden oasis that felt alive. All around them, the flowers whispered secrets. Suddenly, a soft hissing sound caught their attention. Out slithered Runner, a magnificent green snake with glistening scales.

“Ah, the brave adventurers!” Runner exclaimed, his voice smooth and warm. “You seek the magic of the number three, do you not?”

Kylee’s curiosity ignited. “We do! What do we need to do?”

“Follow me to the Royal Garden!” Runner said, leading them behind the tall hedges where they discovered an ancient tree with a door at its base. “Only the worthy may enter,” Runner warned. “Solve the riddle together.”

Kylee and Carter looked at each other, then at the tree. They took a deep breath and said aloud, “The best number is three!” The door swung open as a swirl of colorful magic enveloped them.

Inside, they met Queen Lila, a regal rabbit wearing a golden crown. “You have proven your importance in teamwork and friendship. The magic you seek is not just numbers; it’s in certainty, creativity, and the bonds we share,” she declared.

With a flick of her paw, Queen Lila gifted them with a charm that made their laughter echo like music. “With this charm, share joy and kindness, and you will always have magic,” she said, summarizing the lesson learned – that real magic lies within and in our connections with others.

As they stepped back into the familiar garden of Maplewood, Kylee felt a warm glow of hope and excitement. They laughed, their voices echoing in the garden, knowing they could always find magic within their friendship.