“A heartwarming and hilarious fable that turns syrup and sawdust into a lesson on fairness, friendship, and the fundamentals of trade.”

The Trade That Wasn’t Fair follows Maple the Canada Goose and Eagle the Bald Eagle as they learn what happens when good intentions meet real-world complications. Through rhyming verse, gentle humor, and the wisdom of an old owl, children are introduced to ideas like fair trade, cooperation, labor value, and listening to others—especially when things go wrong.

Rather than simply explaining trade, this story shows what happens when exchanges become unbalanced, when pride takes over, and when communication breaks down. It gives young readers a clear, age-appropriate way to begin understanding fairness, conflict, inequality, and how to make things right.

The fable serves as a playful introduction to economics. Maple and Eagle represent specialization—each doing what they do best—while the Fox introduces the role of the middleman and what can go wrong without transparency. The bead system acts as an early model of currency and value, and Eagle’s frustration opens a discussion about labor and what we consider fair.

All of this is wrapped in forest charm, silly mishaps, and sincere friendship. These ideas unfold naturally, encouraging empathy, critical thinking, and an early sense of justice. In a world where children often see grown-up problems without explanation, this story offers clarity and comfort—and opens the door to conversations that matter.