"Grandpa, do you think mermaids are real?" asked William, looking up from his toy monster.
Grandpa chuckled, "Well, some say they live in the deepest parts of the ocean, singing the most beautiful songs."
William’s eyes widened. "Do you think they sing at the Street Market?" he asked, knowing Grandpa loved visiting the market with its colorful stalls and yummy smells.
"Hmm, maybe their songs turn into the delicious smells!" Grandpa laughed, scooping William up. "How about we go find out?"
At the market, vibrant fruits and vegetables lined the tables. People chattered and laughed, creating a happy buzz. William held tight to Grandpa’s hand, his nose twitching at the blend of sweet and savory scents.
"Grandpa, it's like a song made of smells!" exclaimed William, giggling.
They passed a fruit stall overflowing with colors, and William gasped. There, tucked beside a bunch of bananas, was a shiny, blue scale! It shimmered like the inside of a seashell.
"Grandpa, look!" William cried, pointing. Could it be from a real mermaid?
Grandpa’s eyebrows shot up. "Well, now, that’s mighty curious," he said, picking up the scale carefully. "A real mystery!"
Suddenly, a gruff voice boomed, "Hey! That's mine!" A burly man with a bushy beard stood behind them, frowning.
"Yours?" asked Grandpa.
The man huffed, "It fell off my mermaid costume. I'm going to a party later, see?" He pointed to a glittery tail peeking out of his bag.
William giggled. The man wasn’t mean, just a little grumpy. He learned that being respectful also meant being understanding.
"Oh, of course," Grandpa chuckled, handing the scale back. "We were just admiring its beauty."
The man’s frown turned upside down into a smile. "It is pretty, ain't it?" he said, tucking the scale carefully into his bag. "Thanks for finding it!"
As they walked away, Grandpa winked at William. "See, William? Sometimes, mysteries are solved with a little respect and understanding."
William nodded, his small hand clutching Grandpa’s. The market might not have real mermaids, but it was full of surprises and interesting people. And that, William decided, was pretty magical too.
