Maeli and Lizzy Jo

Hi. My name is Maeli. I am so lucky, because I have Lizzy Jo. She is my cousin AND my friend!

Yesterday our teacher brought out a big box just before the last bell rang. “I have a little gift for each of you,” she said. “Just because!” Then she gave each of us a perfect popcorn ball. Each popcorn ball was in clear bag that was tied with a ribbon. Just that little ribbon made the gift look so fancy! Sometimes, it's the tiny details that make things special.

I happen to have a great appreciation for popcorn balls, so I was pleased. Lizzy Jo and I rode the bus home. The moment I was off the bus, I untied the ribbon and shoved it into my pocket. Then I took the popcorn ball out of the plastic bag. I didn’t even stop walking. Unfortunately, my feet were in a big hurry to get home, and sometimes when feet are in a hurry, they trip.

My feet tripped.
I fell.
And my perfect popcorn ball dropped right into a yucky, murky puddle.

I was okay, but my popcorn ball wasn't.

Have you ever seen a perfect popcorn ball in a yucky, murky puddle? It isn't something that you want to take a photo of and frame and keep forever.

I looked at my popcorn ball. That moment definitely was NOT the time to use the two second rule. Last week at my grandma's house I used the two second rule. I accidentally dropped my cookie on her floor. I picked it up REALLY fast, and I admit that I ate that cookie. But this was a very different situation. This involved a puddle.

I wanted to cry. I know you might that it's silly to cry over a popcorn ball, but that popcorn ball was a gift! I was highly disappointed. I was bummed.

Lizzy Jo gave me a hug. “Take mine,” she said.

“But you love popcorn balls!"

Lizzy Jo smiled. “Yes, but so do you. And you are highly disappointed. You are bummed. I know that, because we are cousins.”

“But won't you be sad without your popcorn ball?” I asked.

“Well, here's the thing about that. Losing something and giving something are two very different things. You lost yours, so you're sad. I get to give mine, and it doesn't make me sad at all. Take it. I want to have it," said Lizzy Jo.

Later that night I ate the popcorn ball. I looked at the ribbon. And I had an idea.

I went to my room and opened my Very Special Box of Beautiful Beads. I chose the prettiest beads that I had. I used the ribbon from the bag on the popcorn ball and my beads to make a bracelet. It was gorgeous!

I went next door to Lizzy Jo's house. She smiled her biggest, happiest smile when she saw it. “Thank you, Maeli!” she said. She gave me a hug.

"Do you recognize the ribbon?" I asked.

"Oh! How fun! It's from the popcorn ball! You didn't have to do that, you know,” she said.

"Take it. I want you to have it,” I said with a smile.