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"It's a tree!" Willy answered proudly. "They've got lots of leaves in summer, but they're bare in winter 'cause they lose their leaves."
Miz Bella smiled at him. "A tree, it is. Good job, Willy, and come pick out a prize." Willy hopped up out of his seat and tried to keep his pace slow as he went up to the desk. He took a look at the prizes for a moment, pretty sure he wanted the knife but not quite positive. The candies would be yummy, but they wouldn't last very long. And the leather ball looked fun, too; he had a ball but it had been used by all the lads and lasses in his family, his oldest brother being in his tweens now. But... he would have to share the ball. He had to share a lot of things with his siblings, six of them all told. A knife could be all his. Confidently, he selected the knife, glancing at Miz Bella from the corner of his eye.
"Good choice," she told him. "It's sharp - be careful with it."
"I will," he promised, grinning. He had started to walk back to his desk with his prize when he remembered his manners. "Thank you, Miz Bella."
"You're welcome."
Willy took his seat, fingering his new knife happily. And it was all his.
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