Pip trotted into the woodland marketplace. Five shiny coins clinked in his small paw.
He spotted a bright blue wind-up fox toy behind the glass. He pressed his nose to it — its tiny legs went whirr-click, whirr-click.
Pip emptied his coins onto the counter. The badger shopkeeper peered over them. "That toy is seven coins," she said gently.
Pip's ears drooped. He counted again — one, two, three, four, five — then counted again to be sure.
The wind-up fox went whirr-click on the shelf all by itself, like it was waving goodbye.
The badger slid a small chalkboard across the counter and drew a row of seven circles. "We can fill these," she said, pointing to the empty ones. Pip picked up the chalk and carefully shaded in one circle.
Days passed. Pip visited every afternoon, shading another circle each time.
Until all seven were dark and full. He placed his seven coins on the counter.
The badger wrapped the toy in brown paper. Pip carried it home.
Its tiny legs went whirr-click, whirr-click, all the way home.