The Pool of Wishing Stars

Lila discovered the secret place on the hottest day of summer. Behind the old stone wall, where wildflowers grew taller than her head, there was a pool so blue it looked like a piece of the sky had fallen to earth.

A giant **palm** tree leaned over the water, its fronds creating dancing patterns of light on the surface. Lila had never seen a palm tree in their garden before—it shimmered slightly, as if it wasn't quite real.

"Hello, little one," said a deep voice.

Lila jumped! A brown **bear** sat beside the pool, wearing a red bow tie. He wasn't scary at all. He looked like a big fuzzy grandpa.

"I'm Barnaby," the bear said. "This is my wishing pool. What's your wish?"

Before Lila could answer, something splashed in the water. A tiny **bull**—no bigger than a toy—floated to the surface on a lily pad. He had golden horns and the kindest eyes Lila had ever seen.

"I'm Buster," said the bull. "I wished to be brave. Instead, I became small." He looked so sad that Lila's heart hurt.

"I wished for a **friend**," Lila said softly. "I just moved here, and I don't know anyone."

Barnaby the bear smiled. "The pool doesn't give you what you ask for. It shows you what you already have."

He reached into the water and pulled out three glowing stones. "Buster isn't small because he's weak. He's small so he can fit in pockets and go on adventures. And you, Lila—you found us, didn't you?"

Lila looked at Buster. The little bull smiled, and suddenly Lila understood. True friends come in all sizes.

"Can I keep him?" Lila asked.

"If you promise to be brave together," said Barnaby.

Lila put Buster in her pocket, where he fit perfectly. The palm tree rustled, sprinkling glitter over them like stardust.

"Come back tomorrow," Barnaby called. "The pool always has more magic."

That night, Lila fell asleep with a tiny bull sleeping on her pillow and the promise of new friends in her heart. Sometimes the best wishes are the ones that surprise you.