The Bull Who Guarded Wishes

Lily discovered the hidden path on her eighth birthday, winding through the woods behind her house. An old rusty **cable** dangled between the trees, swaying like a forgotten swing. Where did it lead? She had to follow.

The cable guided her deeper into the forest until suddenly, the trees parted. There, nestled in a circle of ancient oaks, shimmered a crystal **pool**. But this wasn't just any pool—the water glowed with a soft blue light, and tiny silver fish swam in patterns that looked like writing.

"Beautiful, isn't it?" a deep voice rumbled.

Lily jumped! Standing at the pool's edge was the biggest **bull** she had ever seen, with golden horns and fur the color of sunset. But his eyes were kind and gentle.

"I'm Barnaby," the bull said slowly. "I've guarded this wishing pool for three hundred years."

"Wishing pool?" Lily whispered.

Barnaby nodded. "Throw something precious into the water, and it shows your true wish." He lowered his massive head. "But I'm lonely here. Would you... stay awhile?"

Lily thought of her lunch. She pulled out a bright **orange** from her pocket. "Would you like to share this?"

The bull's eyes widened. "No one has ever shared with me before."

Together, they sat by the glowing water and shared the sweet orange, talking about everything and nothing. As the sun began to set, Lily tossed her orange peel into the pool.

The water swirled with rainbow colors. And in its reflection, she saw something wonderful—herself and Barnaby, having many more adventures together.

"Your true wish," Barnaby rumbled happily, "is friendship. And that, little one, is the most powerful magic of all."

Every day after school, Lily returned to visit her friend. And whenever anyone asked why she carried oranges in her pockets, she would just smile. Some magic, she learned, is meant to be shared.