2. By: Hanna Harper & Lily Marston

3. Once upon a time there was a girl named Mary. Some might call her shy, but everybody in her family knew her for her spunky personality.

4. She lived with her dad in a cozy cottage in the warm area of South Carolina.

5. Her parents had gotten divorced not too long ago, and she was still adjusting. Her mom had just moved out 3 weeks ago.

6. She missed her dearly.

7. One day, when the river out by her house seemed so still she had the idea to go to her mom’s house to bring her some stew.

8. She whipped up a delicious stew that was her great- grandmother’s recipe.

9. She went on her way. She stopped for a minute to take a sip of water when she heard a crunch in the leaves. It must be the autumn leaves falling, she convinced herself.

10. Just then an old man popped out of the rose bush. He said,” Give me your stew. I am homeless and very hungry.” She was very happy to help the old man but she thought, I won’t have any for mom!

11. She gave the old man her stew and she went on her way. Mary gracefully skipped on her way to her mom’s house.

12. Once she got there, she was pleased to know that her mom was happy to have her over but was disappointed about her giving away the stew and not having any for her. Once she told her mom that she had shared with the old man, her mom wasn’t disappointed after all. She was happy that she shared with the old homeless man.

13. ‘’ Why don’t we make some cookies?’’ asked her mom. ‘’I’d love to’’ said Mary.

14. So they made cookies and Mary even bought some home for her dad.

15. Mary asked her mom, “Do you want to live with me and dad?” Mom said, ‘’ Yes’’.

16. And they all lived happily ever after!