The salt bread

A little boy had always watched his mother buy bread from the bread shop on their way home from school. He had learned the routine well: she would pick the bread from the counter, take it to the checkout, and pay for it.

"Mummy, I think I can buy the bread all by myself now!" he would always say.

However, every time they went to the bread shop, his mother would be the one to buy the bread.  

One afternoon, as they drove home from school, the little boy's mother was extremely exhausted from a long day at work.

When they got to the bread shop, she smiled gently and said, "Okay, little one, today you're going to get the bread. I'm just too tired."

The little boy's heart leaped with excitement. He quickly took the money for the bread and dashed out of the car.

He went straight to the counter where he had always seen his mother pick up the bread. He selected a loaf and took it to the checkout to pay. However, the shop had rearranged their displays that day, and the little boy had unknowingly picked up salt bread instead of sweet bread.

He returned to the car, proudly holding the bread in his hands. His mother smiled as he approached, thanking him as she took the bread.

However, her expression quickly turned to disappointment. "Oh dear, this is salt bread, not sweet bread!" she exclaimed.

The little boy's voice trembled as he replied, "But Mummy, I got it from the same place!"

Despite her exhaustion, the little boy's mother walked back into the shop with him and asked to exchange the bread.

The cashier apologized, explaining that they couldn't replace bread after a receipt had been issued.

The little boy said softly, "But I got it from the same place we always pick it!"

"We changed the display today," the cashier explained, pointing to a large sign next to that counter reading "Salt Bread."

As they stood there, another customer overheard their conversation and offered to help.

"Can I have the salt bread you had paid for? I'll pay for the bread you want to take."

The little boy's face lit up with relief. "Thank you!" he exclaimed. His mother smiled again, thanking the customer as well.

As they drove home, the little boy's mother turned to him and said, "You know, you made a mistake today, but I'm proud you tried. Next time, make sure you read the signs carefully."

The little boy replied softly, "Yes, Mummy."

The End!

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