The Puzzle of the Lost Treasure

In a little village surrounded by tall trees, lived a curious boy named Sam. Sam loved exploring, climbing trees, and finding interesting things. One sunny afternoon, as Sam wandered through the forest, he saw an old man sitting on a wooden bench holding a dusty map.

“Hello, Sam,” said the old man with a kind smile. “Would you like to help me solve a puzzle?”

Sam’s eyes lit up. “I love puzzles!” he exclaimed.

The old man handed him the map. It showed a path leading to a hidden treasure in the forest. But the path wasn’t straight—it was full of twists, turns, and clues to solve along the way.

“Why don’t you do it yourself?” asked Sam.

The old man chuckled. “I thought you liked puzzles,” he said.

Sam laughed and nodded. “I do!”

Excitedly, Sam followed the map. The first clue led him to a tree with carvings that formed a riddle. After thinking hard, he figured out the answer: “The rock that whispers.” Sam searched until he found a big rock near a stream, with the sound of water rushing around it.

Each clue took Sam to a new place—a patch of wildflowers, a hollow tree, and even a tiny cave. It wasn’t always easy, and once he even thought of giving up. But then he remembered the old man’s words: “I thought you liked puzzles.”

After hours of exploring, Sam finally reached a small wooden box hidden under a pile of leaves. Inside was a shiny golden compass and a note that said, “This compass will always guide you to the right path—just as solving puzzles taught you patience and courage.”

Sam smiled. He realized the treasure wasn’t just the compass—it was the adventure, the lessons, and the fun he had along the way. From that day on, whenever Sam faced something challenging, he would say to himself, “I thought you liked puzzles,” and work his way through with a smile.