Antonio was a boy in a big Palace. The Palace had shiny floors. The Palace had tall doors.
Antonio was small, but brave. He liked to help. He also felt a little shy.
“Hello, Palace,” Antonio said.
He heard a soft tap-tap.
A Ninja jumped from behind a curtain. The Ninja was quick and quiet. The Ninja was friendly, too.
“Shh,” said Ninja. “I can help you.”
Antonio smiled. “I lost my little gold bell. Ding-ding bell.”
The bell was Antonio’s favorite. It made happy sounds.
“Find lost bell,” Ninja whispered. “We will.”
They walked past a big hall.
Tap. Tap.
They heard a loud CLANG!
A Sun Knight stood by a bright window. His armor looked like sunshine. He held a long, shiny shield.
“No running,” said Sun Knight. “No sneaking. The Palace must stay perfect.”
Antonio held Ninja’s hand.
Antonio said, “Please, Sun Knight. My bell is gone. I need it.”
Sun Knight frowned. “Rules are rules. Bells make noise.”
Ninja leaned close to Antonio. “We can be quiet. Quiet like feathers.”
Antonio nodded. “We will be careful.”
They tip-toed.
In the kitchen, pots were sleeping. In the garden room, a fountain went plip-plip.
Antonio looked under a chair. “No bell.”
He looked behind a pillow. “No bell.”
Antonio’s eyes felt watery.
Ninja pointed. “Look. Tiny sparkle.”
A trail of little glitter dots led to a door with a sun picture on it.
Antonio gulped. “Sun door.”
They opened it slowly.
Inside was a warm room. So bright! Too bright.
Sun Knight was there again. “Stop,” he said.
Antonio stood tall, even though he was small.
“I am brave,” Antonio whispered to himself.
He said, “Sun Knight, I will not mess up your Palace. I just want my bell. Please help.”
Sun Knight blinked. His face softened.
“I… I heard a ding-ding,” he said. “It was pretty. I hid it so it would not bother anyone.”
Antonio frowned a little. “It is mine.”
Sun Knight bowed. “You are right. I made a mistake.”
He opened a box. Inside was the little gold bell.
Ding-ding!
Antonio clapped. Ninja did a tiny happy jump.
Sun Knight said, “You were polite and brave. I like that.”
He gave Antonio the bell and a small sun sticker, too.
“A treasure!” Antonio giggled.
Ninja said, “Now we celebrate. Quietly.”
Antonio rang the bell one time. Ding!
Sun Knight smiled. “One ding is perfect.”
Antonio, Ninja, and Sun Knight walked back to the big hall. The Palace felt friendly again.
Antonio held his bell tight. “Thank you,” he said.
And the shiny Palace stayed shiny, with one tiny happy ding.