Once upon a time there was a group of amateur paleontologists who loved to debate about fossils. They would gather regularly to trade and show off their specimens, each one trying to prove that they had the best one. One day, a private auction was announced, where a rare and valuable fossil would be sold to the highest bidder.

The amateur paleontologists were very excited and got ready for the big day. When the auction began, the bidding was fierce and fast. The group of friends soon realized that they all wanted the same fossil, and the debate intensified as they tried to outbid each other.

In the end, the winner was a little girl who had saved up her allowance for months just to buy the fossil. The amateur paleontologists were amazed and asked the girl what she planned to do with it. The little girl simply replied, "I'm going to put it on my shelf and show it off to everyone who comes to visit!"

The amateur paleontologists laughed and realized that they didn't need to compete after all. They could all enjoy their love of paleontology and fossils together. From that day on, they continued to trade and show off their specimens, but now they did it with a smile and a sense of friendship.

Reflections

1. Who won the fossil at the auction?
2. How did the amateur paleontologists feel about the auction?
3. What did the little girl plan to do with the fossil she won?
4. What did the amateur paleontologists learn about each other at the end of the story?