The Wishing Pebble
By Lisa H.
Once upon a time, there lived a family by the name of Lee. They lived in a small house in the city of Shanghai, China. One day, the youngest of the family, Sang, went to play by the river. When she arrived, she saw her best friend in the whole world. His name was Golden Dragon. Sang could never understand why her other friend, Chou-Lin, and her parents could not see Golden Dragon. They always thought that she was very lonely, for they believed that Golden Dragon was nothing but an invisible friend.
"We know dragons are good luck," Sangs' parents would say, "but your friend is not a real dragon."
"I hate when they talk badly about Golden Dragon," Sang thought. "It makes me feel like crying."
"Good morning Sang," Golden Dragon said, in a jubilant voice.
"Good morning," Sang replied.
"Sang, would you like to go play in the fields with me?"
"Okay. Let's race. 1-2-3 GO!!"
As Sang and Golden Dragon proceeded forward, Sang tripped over a large rock. When she did, a golden pebble chipped off.
"Golden Dragon, look what I found! It's a golden pebble."
"So it is. Sang, I must tell you a secret. Long, long ago, someone told me that if you ever came across a golden pebble, it was for wishing. You must never tell anyone about this. It has been said that for years people have been searching for this pebble and if anyone were to know about this - who knows what might happen. Now, I am going over to that puddle to get a drink. I will be back in a few minutes."
"Hi, Sang!" Chou-Lin shouted as she ran out onto the fields.
"Chou-Lin, guess what I found? It is a golden, wishing pebble. Golden Dragon told me they are very rare, and of all people, I found it!"
"Hmmm, a wishing pebble. I have got to find a way to steal that so it will be my own!" Chou-Lin thought to herself.
"Well, I was walking by, and thought I would come up to say, hello, but I must be on my way," Chou-Lin said to Sang.
"Okay, bye, Chou-Lin."
"Bye, Sang," and Chou-Lin started down the hill.
When Sang and Golden Dragon arrived home that night, after a long day of non-stop playing, it was just about time for bed. Sang left her wishing pebble outside of her house because she was afraid that if she took it inside, her parents would think that it was a regular little pebble and throw it away. Sang ate a quick dinner of rice and soup, and then went to sleep. While Sang was sleeping, Chou-Lin, who was not really a trust-worthy friend, crept up to Sang's house to steal the wishing pebble.
"Ah, here it is. The golden, wishing pebble,"Chou-Lin whispered. "It is mine, all mine!" and she silently tip-toed away.
Late that evening, when Chou-Lin arrived home, she showed her parents the wishing pebble.
"Ping, is that the pebble that people have been searching to find for generations and generations?" Chou-Lins' mother asked her father in curiosity.
"I do believe it is," he replied.
"Oh, I must tell the townspeople. They will be so proud that someone in our village, our daughter, found the long lost pebble!"
The next day...
"Sang!" Golden Dragon shouted. "Sang come quick!"
(Yawn), "Oh, good morning Golden Dragon. What is the matter?"
"Sang, who did you tell about the wishing pebble?"
(Gulp), "What makes you ask such a question?" Sang asked in a defensive way.
"It is gone," Golden Dragon said sadly.
"Gone?" Sang said confused.
"Yes, gone. Now tell me the truth. Who did you tell? I will not be upset."
"Okay, here goes ... I told Chou-Lin."
"You what!" Golden Dragon said harshly.
"You said you would not be upset!" Sang replied in a shaky voice.
"I am not upset, I am furious! Okay, Golden Dragon, calm down and take a deep breath," Golden Dragon said to himself. "I am calm. Now, let's go to Chou-Lins' house to get back what is rightfully yours."
Later that morning...
"Okay, since no one can see you, Golden Dragon, I will talk to Chou-Lin while you search her house for our wishing pebble. When you find it, meet me at the door. Bye, and good luck."
"Thanks. Bye, Sang."
"Hi, Chou-Lin. I just wanted to stop by to ask you if you have seen my wishing pebble. It seems to be missing."
"Why would I have seen it?"Chou-Lin asked nervously.
"I do not know. It's just that you are the only one who knew about it."
"Well, I have not seen it."
"Oh, there is Golden Dragon at the door. I have got to leave," Sang thought to herself. "Okay, thanks anyway. Bye, Chou-Lin."
"Bye, Sang. Wow, that was close," Chou-Lin thought.
"Gee, that was quick," Sang said to Golden Dragon once they were outside.
"Sang, I went into Chou-Lins' room and I saw a tiny piece of the golden pebble sticking out from under her pillow. I think we should tell her we know she took the pebble."
"Oh, Golden Dragon, I want you to know that I am really sorry that I did not listen to your advice. Let's go back inside Chou-Lins' house and tell her that we know she stole our golden pebble."
Once inside the house Sang told Chou-Lin that she was disappointed in her and that she had trusted her as a friend. Chou-Lin realized that Sang's friendship was more important to her than the wishing pebble. She gave the pebble back and regretted what she had done to her friend.
On their way home Golden Dragon turned to Sang and said, "Sang, I just hope that everyone learned that you cannot profit from greed or theft. We have gone through all this and you have not even made a wish yet. Go ahead and make one!"
"Okay, I wish that we can be friends forever Golden Dragon, because friendship is the beauty of life. That is what I wish." And her wish came true.
The End