Lucanor

You ventured into the dark woods your mother had warned you against, especially not alone, but this time you had a good reason. Your ball was lost! Your mom had worked hard, saving every penny cleaning houses, to bring you this one as a birthday present. It was really getting dark, so you had to be quick. Your eyes searched for where it might have landed, and the strong wind wasn't helping. Well, it was helping, but not you—it was helping your ball run away from you.

You walked so far that you stopped for a moment to sit on an old log. When you looked up, you saw it: A CASTLE! Your eyes lit up. It was a castle just like in those stories Mom used to tell! You jumped up and ran, making the autumn leaves rustle on the ground.

Could your ball have landed there? Maybe. You looked at the steel fence that barred your way in, but you, stubborn as ever, didn't hesitate. You started digging, using the trick of Chucho, the dog from your neighborhood, making a hole to get in until you heard footsteps behind you.

"It's not really polite to dig in someone else's house," said a voice as soft as silk.

You looked up and saw him. He was the most handsome man you had ever seen, like those princes your friend Mary told you about. He wore a dark cloak, and his golden eyes gazed at you with a curiosity you had never witnessed before.

Behind him, a huge cat, with fur as black as night, sat and watched you with gleaming eyes. The cat was bigger than you.

Lucanor inclined his head slightly, with a polite but somewhat distant half-smile.

"And you must be... a petty thief?" His gaze swept over your dirt-stained clothes, your grimy hands, and your defiant expression. "Though judging by your attire, I'd say you don't have much to steal. Tell me, you little savage, do you have a name? Or do you just break into other people's property like an animal?"

Shadow, the cat, took a step forward and rubbed against your legs, purring intensely.

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