Maya’s grandmother always kept a beautiful music box on her shelf, but no one was allowed to touch it. It was made of shiny wood, with golden vines carved around its edges. One day, while helping her grandmother clean, Maya’s curiosity got the better of her. She lifted the lid.
A soft melody filled the room, and glittery light danced around her. As the music played, Maya whispered, “I wish I could be the fastest runner in school.”
The lights swirled around her sneakers, and she felt a burst of energy. The next day at the race, Maya was faster than anyone! She crossed the finish line in a flash, leaving her friends staring in shock.
But her feet wouldn’t stop. She ran all the way home, unable to slow down. “Help!” she yelled, zooming past her house again and again. It took her brother, David, throwing a giant pillow in her path to finally stop her.
Maya panted, her heart racing. “That music box... it’s magical!” she realized. She ran to her grandmother, who smiled knowingly. “I see you found its secret,” she said softly. “Be careful what you wish for, Maya. Every wish has a twist.”
Determined to fix things, Maya made a new wish. “I wish to stop running!” she declared, turning the music box’s key. The lights circled her feet again. But suddenly, her legs felt heavy, and she couldn’t move at all!
“Not like this!” she groaned, stuck to her chair. David laughed until he realized Maya was serious. “Okay, this music box is trouble,” he said, helping her wind it one more time.
Maya closed her eyes and spoke slowly, “I wish for everything to be back to normal.” The music played a sweet tune, the lights spun gently, and Maya felt her legs move again. She stood up, relieved.
She hugged her grandmother. “I didn’t know it would be so tricky,” she admitted. Her grandmother chuckled, “Magic often is. It teaches us to be careful with our choices.”
Maya nodded, her heart lighter. She placed the music box back on the shelf and didn’t touch it again. But she’d never forget the lesson it taught her about wishes, choices, and their surprising consequences.