Detective Mia lived just outside the shining gates of the Radiant Palace. She was small and curious. She wore a bright yellow raincoat and carried her special magnifying glass. Mia loved puzzles and helping friends. She was clever and kind. Every morning, she trimmed dandelion crowns in her garden and practiced her detective skills on ladybug footprints.
One sunny day, a soft bell rang through the palace halls. Mia hurried inside. The servants bowed as she passed. The palace was tall and white. Golden spires caught the sun like twinkling stars.
In the grand throne room, Mia found the king in a bright blue robe. He looked worried. He showed Mia an empty velvet cushion. The royal crown was gone! It glowed with colorful gems and lit up the whole room. The king’s voice trembled. “Oh, Mia,” he said, “my crown has vanished. We must find it before sunset!”
Mia promised to help. She took out her magnifying glass and notepad. She searched the velvet cushion. She spotted tiny red scales on the edge. She scribbled a note: dragon scales.
Next, Mia tiptoed through the palace garden. Flowers bowed in the breeze. Fountains sang gentle tunes. Then she heard soft giggles and saw Fantom float by. Fantom was a tiny ghost friend. He had silver sparkles and a playful smile. Mia asked, “Fantom, have you seen a shining crown?” Fantom shook his head but pointed with a wavy finger toward the palace stables.
Mia and Fantom crept past prancing horses and clucking chickens. They found more red scales near a wooden door. Mia counted the scales. They led down a lantern-lit corridor.
At the corridor’s end, they spied a large wooden door carved with dragon shapes. Mia steadied her heart. She whispered, “Fantom, stay close.” She pushed the door open.
Inside glowed a soft fire. A gentle dragon lay in a pile of golden pillows. On its head sat the missing crown. The dragon slept, snoring gentle puffs of smoke.
Mia stepped forward. She spoke in a soft voice. “Excuse me, Mr. Dragon. We came for the king’s crown.” The dragon opened one sleepy eye. He blinked and smiled. He looked lonely, not fierce.
Mia held out her hand. “May we please have the crown back?” The dragon yawned and lowered his head. He carefully lifted the crown off his nose and placed it on the ground.
Fantom clapped his tiny ghost hands. The dragon nudged Mia gently and gave her a bright red scale. “For you,” he rumbled softly.
Mia thanked him. She put the scale in her pocket. “This will remind me that kindness solves puzzles,” she said.
Back in the throne room, the king gasped with joy. Mia placed the crown on his head. It shone brighter than ever. The people cheered, and Fantom floated in happy circles.
The king smiled. He pinned a silver detective badge on Mia’s raincoat. “You are always welcome here, brave detective.”
Mia beamed. She looked at Fantom and the dragon scale in her palm. She knew she had learned something special: listening and kindness help everyone.
From that day on, Detective Mia kept her magnifying glass ready. She solved puzzles big and small. And whenever she felt curious, she remembered the gentle dragon and the power of a friendly heart.