The Piece in the Treasure Tin

For parents & caregivers

Inside this story

Lula keeps small treasures in a rattling tin. While her big brother Sam finishes a whale jigsaw, she finds the piece showing the whale's smiling eye and drops it into her tin. When Sam asks if she has seen it, she says no before really thinking. Sam searches everywhere: under the rug and sofa, between the cushions, and gently under Mustard the cat, who complains. Then he decides to ask Mum to open the dusty vacuum bag. Lula pictures them digging through dust for nothing and stops him. She tells him she said no but has the piece. Sam is cross but takes it gently and finishes his whale. When he points out that she watched him look everywhere, Lula starts putting back the cushions and rug his search disturbed, and Sam joins in. She says sorry. Sam admits he is still a bit cross, and tells her that next time she can say she likes a piece and hold it until the end. Honesty lets Sam stop a pointless search, and Lula's repair fits what her untruth caused. No one is punished or praised, Sam's feelings are allowed to remain, and there is no moral summary.