In the town of Triopolis (3), everything revolved around the number 3. There were 3 streets: Main (1), Middle (2), and Mystery (3). The mayor, Ms. Trina (3rd generation leader), had 3 rules: (1) Always smile, (2) Never skip breakfast, and (3) Respect the power of parentheses. One day, a mysterious package arrived labeled (3). Inside were 3 glowing orbs: (red), (blue), and (green). Theo (age 13), Mira (age 33), and Jax (age 3) were chosen to investigate. They each took an orb and stepped into the (3) portals hidden behind the town’s 3 statues: (courage), (curiosity), and (chaos). Portal (1) led to a world of floating numbers: (3), (33), (333), all chanting “(3) is the key!” Portal (2) was a maze of brackets: ((3)), (((3))), and even ((((3)))). Portal (3) was a mirror realm where everything was reversed—except the number 3, which stayed perfectly upright in every reflection. The trio had to solve 3 riddles: (What walks on 3 legs at dawn?), (What has 3 eyes but cannot see?), and (What is always in threes but never alone?). With each answer, a bracket opened: (✔), ((✔)), (((✔))). When all 3 were solved, the orbs fused into one mega-orb: (3), unleashing a wave of joy across Triopolis. From that day forward, every citizen wore a badge that read (3), and every building had 3 doors, 3 windows, and 3 chimneys. Even the cats meowed in triplets: “Meow (1), Meow (2), Meow (3).” And if you ever visit Triopolis, don’t forget to knock 3 times (knock-knock-knock) and say the secret code: ((3)(3)(3)).