Mary had bought her mom the best birthday gift ever. It did not cost her very much, but she knew her mom did not care about that.

It's the thought that counts.

Mary had put a lot of thought into her mom's gift. She hoped her mom would like it when she opened it on her birthday, which is two days away.

⁉

The next day, Mom's gift was not on the table where she left it. Mary looked under the table, but it was not there. She looked behind the couch, but it was not there.

Mary searched every room in her house, but she still could not find the missing birthday gift anywhere. She slowly began to worry.

Mary decided to call her best friend Sarah because she was with her when they bought the present. Sarah answered as soon as Mary dialed her number.

After telling Sarah what had happened, Mary asked, "What should I do?"

"You should retrace your steps," Sarah suggested. "The last place we both know you had it was the candy store."

The girls entered the candy store, looking around for any misplaced presents. There was none. They asked the lady who owned the store if she had seen a birthday present in her store.

Well, I did see someone with a present come in today. It was a green box with a red bow. The woman mentioned she was going to the park.

When Mary and Sarah arrived at the park they saw  the present alone on the park bench. There was no woman around it, so the girls stared at it in confusion.

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