One morning, Sonya and her mom went to the supermarket to buy groceries. It was a big store where you could find everything: fresh fruits and vegetables, toys, books, and even clothes. Sonya loved these trips because she could sneak a look at the toys on the shelves in their colorful boxes. But this shopping trip turned out to be quite different from what she expected.

They started in the produce section, where her mom was picking out potatoes, carrots, and cabbage. While her mom was busy choosing, Sonya noticed a shelf with candy nearby and spotted a bright package. Her attention was drawn to a box of colorful candies. She took a few steps toward it to get a closer look, and then she noticed another package of chocolates even further away. Fascinated, Sonya didn’t realize that she had lost sight of her mom.

When she turned around, she saw that her mom was nowhere nearby. Sonya felt a wave of anxiety wash over her. The store was large, the shelves were tall, and there were a lot of people around. Everyone was busy shopping, rushing by, and no one seemed to notice her. Her heart started beating faster, and she didn’t know what to do.

“I need to stay calm,” Sonya thought, remembering her mom’s advice. “Mom always said that if you ever get lost, the best thing to do is to ask an adult for help.” Gathering all her courage, Sonya started looking for someone to ask. Nearby, she spotted a store employee in a blue apron with the words “Happy to Help!” printed on it. Sonya took a deep breath and approached the employee.

— Hello, — she said shyly, trying not to look too frightened. — I lost my mom. Could you please help me find her?

The store employee smiled warmly at Sonya and nodded reassuringly:

— Of course, I’ll help you! Don’t worry; we’ll find your mom. Do you remember what she’s wearing today?

Sonya thought for a moment and replied:

— Yes, she’s wearing a pink sweater and carrying a white bag.

The employee took Sonya to the checkout area, where they could see most of the store. They started looking around, hoping to spot her mom. The employee also called over other staff members to help with the search. Gradually, Sonya began to feel more confident, knowing that adults were there to help her and wouldn’t leave her alone.

After a few minutes, which felt like an eternity to her, Sonya suddenly spotted a familiar figure. It was her mom, who was looking around anxiously. Sonya immediately called out:

— Mom! I’m here!

Her mom turned around and saw Sonya. She hurried over to her daughter, hugged her, and let out a sigh of relief.

— Sonya, you scared me so much! — her mom said, but her voice was gentle. — I turned around, and you were gone. I checked the whole section but couldn’t find you.

Sonya explained how she had walked over to the candy shelf and suddenly realized she was lost. She proudly shared that she had asked a store employee for help, and they had found her mom together. The employee praised Sonya for staying calm and knowing what to do in such a situation.

Her mom thanked the employee and then turned to Sonya:

— I’m so proud of you, Sonya. You didn’t panic and made the right choice by asking for help. That was very brave of you.

Sonya smiled, feeling like a true hero. They continued their shopping, but now her mom kept Sonya in sight. Despite the scare, Sonya realized she had become braver and more independent. She knew that she wouldn’t be afraid in similar situations in the future because she could always ask for help.

Now she had her own little adventure story from the supermarket, and she learned something new that day. Her mom told her dad about the experience, and they all praised Sonya for her bravery. From that day on, Sonya knew that even if she got lost, the most important thing was to stay calm and not be afraid to ask others for help.

The next day, as she shared her story with her friends, Sonya smiled, knowing she had handled the situation like a true grown-up. Now she wasn’t afraid of going shopping and even felt ready to help her friends if any of them ever got lost.