Morning Bells and Blueprints

Princess Starwrite stretched her blue wings as morning sunlight streamed through the crystal windows of Starwrite Castle. Her horn glowed softly as she floated down the marble staircase, her blue-black dress swishing behind her.

"Your Highness!" called Nimbus, her cloud-shaped assistant, bouncing excitedly. "The Dream Builder's Contest announcement just arrived!"

Starwrite's blue eyes sparkled. She had been waiting for this contest all year. Every creature in the Valley of Creativity could enter their most imaginative building design.

She unrolled the golden scroll. The contest would take place in three days at Rainbow Plaza. Winners would have their designs built using the valley's magical construction crystals.

"I already have the perfect idea," Starwrite said, tapping her horn thoughtfully. "A library that changes its rooms based on what stories you want to read."

Nimbus swirled with delight. "That sounds amazing! No one will think of anything like that."

Starwrite grinned. She couldn't wait to see what other creative minds would dream up.

The Cricket's Warning

The next morning, Starwrite flew to the Valley's bustling Creative Market to gather supplies for her library design. Merchants displayed colorful building materials while creatures chatted about their contest ideas.

"Princess!" chirped a tiny voice from below.

Starwrite landed and spotted Cricket, a green insect with golden wings, perched on a wooden crate. Cricket ran the market's message service, carrying news between vendors.

"I overheard something terrible," Cricket whispered, his antennae twitching nervously. "Three contestants met behind Moonbeam Bakery last night. They were talking about stealing ideas!"

Starwrite's horn dimmed. "Stealing ideas? But that's against everything the contest stands for."

Cricket nodded frantically. "They said they'd watch other contestants work, then copy the best parts. One of them mentioned your library idea specifically!"

Her heart sank. Someone had already discovered her secret project.

"Who were they?" she asked.

"I couldn't see clearly in the shadows, but one had a deep voice like a bear, another squeaked like a mouse, and the third sounded like a snake hissing."

Starwrite's wings drooped. How could she compete against cheaters who would steal everyone's creativity?