Barnaby Button was a fellow who worried a lot. He worried if his hat was on straight, if his shoes were tied, and if a bird might decide his head looked like a comfy nest.

One sunny morning, Barnaby was strolling by the edge of the big, blue sea, probably worrying about getting sand in his socks. His foot bumped against something soft. He looked down. It was a heavy leather purse! Barnaby’s eyes went wide. He peeked inside. Gold coins! Shiny, glittering gold coins!

"Oh, my goodness!" Barnaby whispered, clutching the purse. "How wonderfully clever of me to walk this way today! I found it all by myself!" He danced a little jig, forgetting all about sandy socks. He didn't say "thank you" to Good Luck, or to the sea, or to anything at all. He just thought he was very smart for finding it.

With his newfound riches, Barnaby decided to take a trip on a ship. "I deserve a holiday!" he declared. So, he bought a ticket and hopped onto a fine sailing boat.

At first, the sea was calm, and the sun was warm. Barnaby hummed a happy tune. But soon, the sky turned a grumpy grey. The wind began to howl like a hungry wolf, and the waves grew into big, splashy mountains. The little ship tossed and turned, creaking and groaning.

Barnaby turned pale green. "Oh, dear! Oh, misery!" he cried, holding onto the ship's railing. "Cruel Fortune! Why are you doing this to me? We're all going to sink because of your terrible temper!"

Suddenly, a shimmering figure, who looked like she was made of seafoam and sunshine, appeared beside him. It was Lady Fortune herself.

She raised an eyebrow. "Just a moment, Barnaby," she said, her voice like the gentle lapping of waves, but with a hint of sternness. "When you found that purse full of gold, you didn't say, 'Thank you, Fortune!' You said, 'How clever *I* am!' You took all the credit for the good thing."

Barnaby gulped.

Lady Fortune continued, "Now that a storm has come – which happens at sea, you know – suddenly it's *my* fault? You didn't thank me for the sunshine, but you're quick to blame me for the rain."

Barnaby looked down at his wobbly knees. He felt a bit silly. Lady Fortune had a very good point.

The storm eventually calmed down, and the ship sailed safely to land. Barnaby stepped onto the shore, a little wet and a lot more thoughtful. He still had his gold, but he also had a new idea: maybe it was good to be thankful for the sunny days, not just complain about the stormy ones.

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