Once upon a time, in the bustling city of Seoul, there lived a sweet girl named Maya. In Korean, her name was written as 마야, and it meant she was as bright and beautiful as a blooming flower. Maya came from a very rich family. Her parents owned a big house with shiny floors and rooms full of toys and fancy clothes. But Maya wasn't like other rich kids who only thought about themselves. She had a heart as big as the Han River, and she always cared about people who didn't have as much as she did.
Maya's parents were very busy with their work. They loved buying new things and going to fancy parties, but they never stopped to think about the poor families in their neighborhood. "We worked hard for our money," her mom would say. "Everyone should do the same." Her dad nodded and added, "Helping others isn't our job." This made Maya sad, but she didn't argue. Instead, she decided to help in her own secret way.
Maya's best friend was a girl named Ji-eun. Ji-eun lived in a small apartment with her grandma, and they didn't have much money. Sometimes, Ji-eun's shoes had holes, or she couldn't afford new crayons for drawing. But Ji-eun was the funniest, kindest friend ever. They played hide-and-seek in the park, shared stories about magical unicorns, and dreamed about flying to the stars. Maya loved Ji-eun like a sister.
One day, Maya noticed Ji-eun looking worried. "My grandma is sick, and we need medicine, but it's too expensive," Ji-eun whispered. Maya's heart ached. That night, she snuck into her piggy bank and took some of her allowance money. The next day, she slipped it into Ji-eun's backpack with a note that said, "From a secret friend who cares." Ji-eun was so happy! She bought the medicine, and her grandma felt better soon.
Maya kept doing this. She gave Ji-eun money for new shoes, a warm coat for winter, and even some yummy snacks. She did it all in secret, because she knew her parents wouldn't understand. But one afternoon, while Maya was playing with Ji-eun in the garden, her parents came home early. They saw Maya handing Ji-eun a little envelope with money inside.
"Maya! What are you doing?" her mom asked, surprised. Her dad frowned. "That's our money. Why are you giving it away?"
Maya stood tall, even though she was scared. "Ji-eun is my best friend, and she needs help. Being kind is more important than being rich. I want to share what we have."
Her parents were quiet for a moment. They looked at Maya, then at Ji-eun, who was smiling shyly. Something changed in their eyes. They saw how happy Maya was, and how her kindness made the world a little brighter. "We've been so focused on our own things," her mom said softly. "But you have a kind soul, Maya. You've taught us something important."
From that day on, Maya's parents started to change. They donated clothes and food to poor families. They even invited Ji-eun and her grandma over for dinner. Maya and Ji-eun played together every day, and the whole family learned that sharing love and kindness makes everyone richer in the heart.
And so, Maya went to sleep each night with a smile, knowing that her kindness had sparked a beautiful change. Sweet dreams, little one. The end.