Inspirational Short Stories for Children 
Do More Than Entertain

McKenzie, Please Help Me Find It!

A cheerful little girl named Beth lives on a farm in a peaceful valley. She has loving sisters, a brother, and a host of other relatives surrounding her. Most of them have dimples on their cheeks, two of them. Grandpa has an additional one on his chin. Beth knows dimples make people unique.

A delightful dimple appears on Beth’s right cheek whenever she smiles. But one day, Beth looks deeply into the mirror and is surprised to discover that she only has one dimple. “Where is my other dimple?” she says out loud.

She looks around but cannot find it. Determined to find it, Beth calls McKenzie's Detective Agency. She had heard about a clever young detective named McKenzie who solves tricky mysteries. "Hello? Is this McKenzie’s Detective Agency?” Beth asks when the phone is answered on the other end.

“Yes, you have reached the agency. My name is Detective McKenzie. How can I help you?”

“My name is Beth. I only have one dimple on my cheek. I need your help to find the other one.”

McKenzie gathers more information from the client. She thinks momentarily and says, “We live far apart, but I have an idea! Let's meet in our dreams tonight. I'll help you search for your dimple.”

“That’s great!” Beth answers.

As Beth falls asleep that night, she begins a wonderful dream adventure. There, she meets McKenzie, who hugs her and says, "Let's get started on our detective work.”

First, they venture into Beth's bedroom. Together, they peek under her bed, shoo the friendly dust bunnies away, and find lots of shiny toys. There are books, too, but no dimple.

Next, they move out into the garden. With the magnifying glass to her eye, McKenzie gazes deeply into a tulip while Beth looks among the Marigolds snug in their flower beds. Beth and McKenzie sigh. The dimple is nowhere in sight.

Beth feels puzzled, hoping the dream won’t end too soon. "What should we do now, McKenzie?" she asks.

McKenzie has a twinkle in her eye. "Let's find someone wise to help us," she suggests. So, using her investigative skills, she locates a wise ram named Ramsey. McKenzie and Beth venture hand in hand onto a farm where they meet the wise ram.

"Ramsey,” Beth says politely, “I’m looking for my other dimple. Can you help me?"

Ramsey chuckles softly and replies, "Ah, Beth, most people don’t have dimples. And those who do don’t always have two. Some who are dimpled are unique enough to have only one, like you."

Beth looks at McKenzie and raises her eyebrows. “I only have one? I didn’t lose the other one?” she says.

“I guess not,” McKenzie answers, putting away her magnifying glass. “Case closed.”

Ramsey says to Beth, “You thought you lost something you never had. But you have gained experience through problem-solving. It takes us on surprising and meaningful journeys.”

Beth smiles brightly, proud of her uniqueness, her one dimple. Beth and McKenzie turn to the ram and say in unison, “Thank you, Ramsey, for sharing your wisdom.” 

“We will be on our way back now,” McKenzie says to him.

“Oh, no, the ram says quickly. You must stay for lunch.”

Beth and McKenzie accept his invitation with delight. “That’s very nice of you,” Beth says.

After enjoying a cheese board, the girls thank Ramsey for his hospitality and wave to him. The humble ram smiles and bleats out a goodbye.

With newfound happiness, Beth and McKenzie skip through their dream world, sharing laughs and making precious memories together. As the morning sun brings the dream to an end, Beth whispers, "Thank you, McKenzie. You’re a great detective!” 

McKenzie hugs her goodbye. “Thank you, too, my friend. And keep smiling so that the world can see your beautiful dimple.”