Flora the Finder

Flora loved the sunny park. The slide went *whoosh*, the swings squeaked *creak-croak*, and the roundabout made her tummy feel all wobbly and giggly. Best of all, she could be super helpful! She pushed her little mate Leo on the swing and helped a tiny toddler build a sandcastle that was almost as tall as his gumboots. Being helpful was Flora's favourite thing.

As she hopped off the roundabout, something under the bench caught her eye. Sparkle, sparkle, shining bright! It was a watch, with a glittery band and a face that winked in the sun. It was the prettiest watch Flora had ever seen. It wasn't hers, and it wasn't her mum's. It was a lost watch.

Flora picked it up. The glittery band felt smooth in her hand. *Sparkle, sparkle, shining bright.* A little voice in her head whispered, “You could keep it!” But then, a bigger, kinder thought popped in. Someone was probably feeling very sad right now. Being helpful meant helping that sad person. She looked all around the playground, but everyone was packing up their bags to go home. No one was looking for a watch.

Just then, Flora remembered what her mum always said: “The most helpful thing you can do for a lost treasure is to help it find its way home.” Flora knew what to do! She held the watch tight, marched her feet past the bubblers and right up to the little ice-cream kiosk. “Excuse me,” she said to the friendly lady inside. “I found this. I think someone is missing it.”

The next day at the park, the kiosk lady waved Flora over. An older woman with a smiley face was with her. “This clever and kind girl found my watch!” she said, giving Flora a huge grin. “You're a little hero!” Flora's heart felt warm and fizzy, even better than the wobbly roundabout. She knew that helping the sparkly watch find its home was much, much better than keeping it for herself.