The Bus Stop and the Silver Coin

Lena waited for the bus every morning at eight. She always stood near the old oak tree. One cold Monday, she saw a small door in the tree. It was not there before.

The door opened. A tiny man with green hair looked at her. "You can see me," he said. "So you must take this coin." He gave her a silver coin. It felt warm in her hand. "When you need help, turn it three times," he said. "But you will lose something. Do you want it?" Lena took the coin. She did not answer his question.

At school, Lena failed her math test. She turned the coin three times. A soft light appeared. The next day, she knew all the answers. But she forgot her best friend's birthday. She felt sad.

On Friday, a big dog ran after her little brother. Lena turned the coin again. The dog stopped and ran away. But she forgot her own name for one hour. Her brother was safe, but she was scared.

That night, she met the tiny man again. "You see the price," he said. "Magic takes memories. Will you keep the coin?" Lena looked at her brother sleeping. She put the coin on the table. "No," she said. "I want my memories more."

The next morning, the door in the tree was gone. Lena waited for the bus. She smiled at her brother. She remembered everything. She felt rich.