Story 3
🏦 The $10 Decision
Starring Jake & Maya (age 8, cousins) · For ages 5 and up
😄
Page 1
Jake and Maya are cousins, and today is a very big day.
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Page 2
Their class is going on a field trip to the bank!
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Page 3
Grandma gives them each a shiny ten-dollar gift card.
Grandma"This is your lunch money — the rest is yours to choose."
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Page 4
The school bus rolls into Fairweather, the city of money.
✨
Page 5
Inside, the bank sparkles like a museum of gold and glass.
🛡️
Page 6
A kind banker with a gray beard waves hello — the Iron Banker!
He wears deep purple and gold armor — like the most important suit in the world.
🏪
Page 7
On the way to the tour, they pass a shop full of toys and candy.
🏛️
Page 8
The Iron Banker shows them a giant vault stacked with coins.
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Page 9
Soon their tummies rumble — it's time for lunch!
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Page 10
At the food counter, a sandwich costs more than Jake expected. Maya counts her money again and again, but the numbers won't come out right.
⚡
Page 11
Then something crackles strangely beside the candy rack. It's The Swipe — a shimmer that makes things look too good to pass up!
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Page 12
And hiding behind the high food prices stands Jack the Ruiner.
🛡️
Page 13
"You can see them now," the Iron Banker says gently. "Most grown-ups can see them too, once they know to look."
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Page 14
"The Swipe makes you want things fast, and Jack hides sneaky high prices."
Iron Banker"Just knowing their names takes away some of their power!"
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Page 15
Then the Iron Banker claps his hands and grins a big grin.
Iron Banker"Lunch is on me today — it makes me happy to see kids eat!"
😂
Page 16
The whole class cheers as trays of food are passed down the table.
😉
Page 17
"Now," says the Iron Banker with a wink, "let's talk about saving your money — right after lunch!"
When you know the name of a trap, it loses its power. 🛡️⚡
🎉 To be continued!
Jake and Maya still have $10 each — minus lunch. What will they decide to do with the rest? Find out in the next story!