The Magic Cap
Once upon a time, in a village not far from the city, lived Coco. He was a clever little boy. Coco's father owned a hat shop, right in the center of the small town.
Even though Coco was just a child, his father often left him in charge of the shop in his place. Coco was a good salesman and good at math too. He often made good sales and a decent profit.
His father admired his skill. But he worried about his son.
— Darling, Coco told me about the profit he made today. He's doing well, isn't he? — Oh, I'd love to see him become a great businessman one day. — The boy has talent, no doubt, Cara, but we must be careful about his arrogance, which is growing day by day. — What arrogance? He's good at sales. That's all! You worry too much. — Ah!
— Hello, Coco! Can I see one of those bowler hats? Dad's taking me to a funeral, and I don't have anything to wear with my black suit. — Ah, bowler hats are for adults. How about you get a witch's hat and wear that to the funeral? — A witch's hat? Wouldn't that be a bit inappropriate? — Why would it be inappropriate? What you're looking for is different, my friend. It will certainly be different. It's a tiny bit more expensive than a bowler hat, but that's what everyone's wearing these days. It's the new fashion. It'll look good on you. — Oh, alright then. Come on, let me show you.
— Look, Dad! I sold the witch's hat. See how much I earned? — Ah, finally! That hat had been sitting here for years. Who did you sell it to? — To Ben! — Ben? Your friend Ben? What did he need a witch's hat for? — He didn't need it. I created a need for him. Isn't that how you do business, Dad? By creating demand? — Wait! I don't like this at all. What did you do? How did you create a need when he didn't have one? — Oh, simple. I convinced him to buy the hat and wear it to a funeral he was going to with his father.
— What have you done? Funerals are for showing respect for the dead, Coco. You sent a boy to a funeral with a witch's hat? It's a funeral, not a costume party. — What does it matter? It was a good deal. I made money from it. Look, here's 5 dollars. — Just because you made some money from it doesn't mean you made a good deal, Coco. You need to think about your actions. What would you do if his father comes here asking for his money back? — I don't think that's fair. If Ben's father asks for his money back, we'll tell him a clear and crisp no. A deal is a deal. What Ben does with that hat is his business now. I thought you'd be happy I got rid of that stupid hat.
Coco stormed out of the shop, annoyed. He couldn't understand why his father wasn't happy. He had made a good profit. On the other hand, Coco's father was increasingly worried about him. He wanted his son to understand that you have to think about the consequences of your actions.
That night, Coco's father saw a shooting star. He closed his eyes and wished for his son to be well. He wanted his son to think before acting. The star heard his wish. That night, Coco had a dream.
— Hello, Coco. — Huh? Where am I? Who are you? — I am a fairy, and I've come to give you a gift. — A gift? Is it because of the good deal I made today at the shop? I knew it! — Here you go. This is a magic cap. Every time you wear it and take it off your head, you'll find a gold coin inside. — Wow! I'm going to be rich! — But remember, Coco. If you use this cap more than three times, then in exchange for each coin, you will lose 3 centimeters in height. — So I'll get shorter every time I get a gold coin? Okay, I'll remember that. — Use it wisely.
— Good morning, Coco! — What? What? — I hope you slept well. — Ah, yes, I did. — Hmm, it seems you're not angry with me anymore. That's good. — Oh, I mean, yes, fine. I'm fine. Thank you. — I shouldn't have reminded you, I guess. — You yelled at me when it wasn't even my fault. — Coco, I hope you'll understand one day that everything I say or do is for your own good. Ah, anyway, your mother and I are leaving town. We'll be back by evening. Be good, okay?
But Coco didn't answer.
— They don't understand how important it is to seize an opportunity. My only goal is to make a profit from these caps. Wait! The magic cap! Where is my magic cap?
Coco got out of bed and looked around. Suddenly, he saw something under his pillow.
— My magic cap!
Happy, Coco put it on his head and took it off. The cap had a gold coin inside. Coco was overjoyed.
— Now I'll be the richest of the rich! Ha ha ha! Let me do it again.
He quickly put the cap on his head again and took it off. And behold, another gold coin. Coco remembered very well what the fairy had told him.
— If you use this cap more than three times, then in exchange for each coin, you will lose 3 centimeters in height. — Hmm, that's enough for this week, I think. I'll use it one more time when Mom and Dad come home. They'll be so excited!
Coco carefully placed the cap in the closet and went about his daily business. He felt very happy, but he kept thinking about the cap in the closet. Whatever he did, he couldn't get it out of his mind.
— I really should get a haircut. But I don't have any money. What should I do now? Well, I could use the cap. Still, I want to wait for Mom and Dad. They'll be thrilled to see how lucky their son is. But wait! I'm not a kid who does a magic trick, am I? Why not just show them the money instead? Yes. I'll use the cap one more time and show them three gold coins.
Coco did as he wished. He was very happy to have three gold coins in his hand. But...
— Hmm, just three gold coins aren't enough. And if you think about it, I'm taller than all my friends. Maybe losing 3 centimeters won't hurt too much.
And that's exactly what happened. Coco found another coin, and in exchange, he lost 3 centimeters in height.
— See? It's not much to lose. No one will ever know I lost 3 centimeters. Well, one, two, three, four. I'm not quite satisfied. Would it seem silly to give my parents only four coins? If I'm going to lose my height anyway, I might as well make a fortune from it. Besides, I'm very young. I have plenty of time to grow taller. I need to make the most of this.
Without thinking about the outcome, Coco continued to pull coins from the cap. And soon, the coins were piled up on the floor.
— Woohoo! Look at that! That's what I call a good deal. I'll be back to my height in a few months, and I'll be rich too. — Now I can go to bed peacefully.
But Coco didn't realize one thing.
— Huh? Oh, no!
It had taken him years to grow in height, and he gave it up in a few minutes.
— Wait! Does this mean I'll get my height back in a few years? Oh, no! Oh, no! What do I do? How do I get my height back? No, I can't do anything! I can't reach my bed, I can't reach the kitchen cupboard for biscuits, and I can't even go to the shop. No!
Coco quickly took the cap from the closet again and shook it hard. He was afraid to put it on his head, so he picked up the gold coins from the floor and tried to put them back into the cap.
— Here, take all your money back! Take your gold! Make me tall again, please! Do something, stupid cap!
Coco slammed the coins so hard that the cap tore.
— No! What do I do now?
After crying for a few minutes, Coco fell asleep and had another dream.
— Coco! Where are you? — I'm here! Look down! — Goodness me! What have you done? I told you not to use... — Yes, I know, but I just wanted to make a good deal. I thought losing 3 centimeters in height for a gold coin was the easiest way to get rich. — Coco, making a good deal doesn't always mean choosing the easiest path. You have to think before you act. You have to consider the outcome of your actions. Come on, tell me. Does it seem like a good deal to you now? — No, not at all. It seems careless and foolish of me to trade my height. — Exactly. If you had thought about it then, you would have chosen the right path. — I know, I've realized my mistake. — And now, tell me, what do you want me to do now? I can take the cap back, and you'll be as tall as before. Nothing will change. Or, you can keep the gold and wait years until you regain your height. — No, no way. Take the cap and all the gold back and make me tall again, just as I was. Nothing needs to change. We have a shop, and I'm still in school. I'll earn my own gold, and I know my parents will be happy. — That's a good choice, Coco. Here you go!
When Coco woke up, he was lying on the floor. When he stood up, he realized he was back in his old body. Just then, the doorbell rang. He went to open it.
— Dad! Daddy! — But how long have I been gone? — I'm sorry, Daddy. I understand now. You were right. Just because it sounds easy doesn't mean it's a good deal. I will always think about the effects of my actions. — Oh, you figured it out on your own? Maybe I should leave you alone more often! — No, never!
Coco hugged his father tightly and promised never to act again without thinking about the future.
The End.
