Ruby Rose the Musician lived beside a soft, green swamp. She was kind and brave. Ruby Rose loved to play her small golden flute. Every morning she woke the swamp with sweet, gentle notes. The birds and frogs listened and sang along. Ruby felt happy when she heard their songs.
One sunny day, Ruby Rose walked with her friend Monkey. Monkey was playful and curious. He climbed low trees and swung on hanging vines above the water. They came to a quiet flower patch near a narrow stream. Ruby lifted her flute to play a happy tune. But when she touched it, the flute was gone!
Ruby’s eyes grew wide. Her heart pounded. “My flute is lost!” she cried softly. Monkey jumped down and patted her shoulder. “Don’t worry, Ruby. We will find it,” he said with a friendly grin.
Ruby and Monkey began to search. They looked under bright green leaves and behind tall reeds. They peered into shallow pools. The swamp was calm but full of hiding places. Ruby tiptoed slowly so she would not scare any frogs. Monkey sniffed the air, chattering quietly.
Suddenly they heard a deep voice. “Hee hee hee,” it rumbled. Ruby and Monkey looked up. High above the trees stood a Giant! He had big feet planted in the moss. He picked up Ruby’s flute and laughed. “This shiny flute sounds nice to me,” he said. He put it close to his huge mouth. Ruby felt tiny but very brave.
She drew a deep breath. Monkey held her hand. Ruby spoke in a gentle but firm voice. “Please, Giant, that flute is mine. It brings music to the swamp. May I have it back?” The Giant paused. He scratched his head. His big eyes blinked. He did not want to be mean.
The Giant lowered the flute. Ruby played a soft note. The sound floated like a cloud. The Giant’s face changed. He smiled a wide, friendly smile. Monkey clapped his hands.
Ruby bowed politely. “Thank you for listening to music with me. Would you like to hear a song?” The Giant nodded. Ruby lifted the flute and played a happy tune. Birds trilled. Frogs croaked along. Even the Giant tapped his huge foot in time.
When the song ended, the Giant gave Ruby a small swamp shell as a gift. It glowed pale blue in the morning light. “Thank you for sharing your music,” he said kindly. Ruby blushed and smiled.
Ruby Rose and Monkey waved goodbye to the Giant. They walked back along the soft moss to Ruby’s home. Ruby held her flute tight and touched the glowing shell. She felt proud and joyful.
That night, Ruby placed the shell on her windowsill. The soft moonlight made it shine. She played her flute under the stars. The swamp was calm, full of friends and happy sounds. Ruby Rose learned that kindness and courage can turn even a giant into a friend. And she always kept the glowing shell close, a treasure from her big new friend.