It was almost midnight when Leo heard a tiny pop from the kitchen. He peeked inside and gasped. A bowl of popcorn was glowing! As he stepped closer, the kernels started to bounce. One leaped onto the counter and squeaked, “Hurry, Leo! The carnival is waiting!”
Without thinking, Leo scooped up the popcorn and followed the bouncing pieces out the door. His backyard had transformed into a glittering carnival—rides spinning, fireworks bursting, and music filling the air. A tall man in a shimmering coat smiled at him. “Welcome, Leo. But the carnival only stays if you solve the Midnight Puzzle.”
Leo’s heart pounded. A floating board appeared with glowing words:
"I appear when joy is shared. I vanish when greed takes over. What am I?"
Leo looked at the glowing popcorn in his hand. He grinned. “Magic!”
The carnival erupted into cheers. The man laughed, clapping his hands. “Correct! The magic stays!” The popcorn kernels twirled in the air like tiny fireworks.
As the first rays of sunlight peeked over the horizon, the carnival faded, leaving behind a single golden kernel in Leo’s palm. He smiled, knowing the magic would return when he needed it most.