Three big wishesOn market day in Lantern Bay, three neighbors each carried a big wish, and each cost more than anyone could save in a few months. Tilda the baker needed a delivery car, so she asked for a car loan of 12 coins. The Orla family wanted a cottage, so their home loan would be 60 coins. Mira dreamed of building boats and would borrow 24 coins for school. Bea the lender said a big loan works like a small one, with a size, a plan and an extra price, and just runs longer. Bigger things need longer plans, because pay arrives a little at a time. The car loan takes two years at six coins a year. Mira's takes four years at six a year. The cottage takes six years at ten coins a year. A car wears out a little each year, which is why car loans are usually the shortest. Bea held a claim on the car until it was paid, and the Orlas' home loan had a claim too, on the cottage. A claim lets the lender take the car back, but only if payments stop for a long time, and most lenders would rather make a new plan, so talking early matters. Mira's school loan had no claim, because learning cannot be handed back. She hoped boat building would pay well, but a hope is not a promise. A careful borrower asks four things before any big loan: how much, how long, what extra, and what if I am late?