The Lost Key

Anna stands by her front door. She puts her hand in her coat pocket. Her pocket is empty. She checks her other pocket. Empty too.

Anna stops. She looks down. "Oh no," she says. "My key is not there."

It is a cold Tuesday evening. The sun goes down. The street lights turn on. Anna is tired after work. She wants to go inside, sit on her soft sofa, and drink hot tea. But she cannot open her door.

Where is the key?

Anna thinks. She walks back to her car. She looks on the dark street. Nothing. She looks under a big green trash can. Nothing.

She walks to the corner shop. Mr. Lee stands behind the counter. He smiles at Anna.

"Hello, Anna," Mr. Lee says. "You look worried."

"I lost my house key, Mr. Lee," Anna says. "I cannot find it anywhere."

Mr. Lee thinks for a moment. Then his face lights up. He reaches under the counter. He takes out a small brass key on a blue string.

"Did you buy milk here this morning?" Mr. Lee asks.

Anna remembers. "Yes! I bought milk before work."

"You put your milk on the counter," Mr. Lee explains. "And your key fell out of your pocket. It stayed here all day."

Anna takes the key. She feels very happy and relieved.

"Thank you so much, Mr. Lee!" she says.

Anna walks back home fast. She puts the key in the lock. Click. The door opens. The warm light from her hallway welcomes her inside.

What do you do when you lose something important?