Penny the Squirrel and the Three Jars

Chapter 1: Money Handling

In a golden woodland called Acorn Ridge, there lived a young squirrel named Penny. Penny had a bushy tail, quick paws, and a wonderful job helping Mr. Hazel at the Autumn Market, where she gathered acorns and nuts and earned shiny little coins.

But Penny had a problem. The coins never seemed to last.

"Ooh, a ribbon!" she'd say, spending a coin. "Ooh, a candied chestnut!" she'd say, spending another. By the end of each week, her pockets were empty, and she couldn't remember where it had all gone.

One crisp morning, Penny saw the most beautiful thing she had ever seen in the market window: a bright red wagon with golden wheels. It was perfect for carrying nuts, and perfect for racing down hills.

"I want it!" she cried. But when she checked her pockets, she found only one lonely coin.

Penny sat on a stump with a sigh.

"Trouble with your treasure?" said a warm voice. It was Grandma Dormouse, who ran the tiny bakery next door and was known across Acorn Ridge for being wise with her coins.

"I work hard, but I never have anything saved," said Penny. "I'll never get that wagon."

Grandma Dormouse chuckled. "Come with me, dear. I'll teach you a secret."

She led Penny into her cozy kitchen and set three glass jars on the table.