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In a brightly lit indoor grocery-store aisle at midday, Tiara stands beside a metal shopping cart, shaking a small sparkly bell-filled ball, colorful cereal boxes towering behind her under white fluorescent lights.
Seven-year-old Tiara pushed the shopping cart next to her mom in the big grocery store. Bright lights shined on rows of colorful boxes. Then Tiara saw it—a sparkly ball with bells inside on a low shelf. She picked it up and shook it gently. Ring-a-ling! The pretty sound made her smile. She shook it again and again, walking slowly down the aisle. When Tiara finally looked up from the magical toy, her parents were gone. Her heart began to beat fast.
At the dimmer end of another towering aisle, still indoors and afternoon, Tiara clutches the glittery toy ball to her chest, tear-streaked, peering left then right between endless shelves under humming ceiling lamps.
Tiara's hands felt cold. She walked to the end of the aisle and looked left, then right. So many tall shelves! So many strangers! Where did Mom and Dad go? She squeezed the toy ball tight. A tear rolled down her cheek. The big store suddenly felt huge and scary. Tiara remembered what her mom always said: "If you're lost, find someone who works at the store." She took a deep breath. She had to be brave and find help.
Near stacked pyramids of bright fruit in the supermarket produce section, Ivy kneels to eye level with Tiara, smiling warmly under soft morning fluorescent glow while Tiara explains her missing parents, gripping the jingling ball.
Tiara walked carefully past the fruit section. Then she spotted a woman with short light brown hair wearing a store uniform. "Excuse me," Tiara said in a small voice. The woman turned and smiled warmly. "Hello there! I'm Ivy. You look worried, sweetie." Tiara explained she couldn't find her parents. Ivy knelt down to Tiara's height. "You were very brave to ask for help," Ivy said gently. "Being brave doesn't mean you're not scared. It means you do the right thing anyway. Let's find your family together."
At the front service desk beneath harsh overhead lights, Ivy in store uniform speaks into a microphone while Tiara stands beside her gripping the sparkly ball, checkout lanes and bustling shoppers forming the background.
Ivy took Tiara's hand and they walked to the front of the store. Ivy spoke into a microphone that echoed everywhere. "Would Tiara's parents please come to the service desk?" Within seconds, Mom and Dad rushed over. "Tiara!" they cried, hugging her tight. Tiara hugged back hard. "I got scared, but Ivy helped me," Tiara said proudly. Mom thanked Ivy with grateful eyes. Dad said, "You did exactly the right thing by asking for help." Tiara smiled. She had been brave, just like Ivy said.