Hero

“I did indeed, so I don’t feel cheated in the slightest. I brought them home for you.” Sunday’s heart leapt for joy as he reached into his pocket. Whatever treasure Papa had brought would certainly go to the family, but it meant the world that he made a show of giving it to her. Mama acted as if she weren’t paying any attention, but she had stopped cutting the bread mid-slice.

“I’m afraid they’re a little worse for the wear.” Papa opened his hand and dropped the contents onto the table.

“Bah!” Mama scoffed when she saw. “Fool’s gold and fairy stones. Such has been this family’s lot in life. I should have known.”

Sunday’s treasure was three small stones. One was smooth and deep ocean blue run with lines of stark white, one was splotchy green like moss trapped in pale amber, and one was sharp-edged and milky pink. Fool’s gold or not, these stones were hers to keep, a thousand times more valuable to her than any gold ever could be. Inside these stones Papa’s story would live forever; Sunday would remember the tale every time she saw them. It was just as she’d hoped: the perfect end to a perfect day.

“They’re beautiful,” Sunday said over the shiny stones.

“They’re yours if you want them.”

Sunday threw herself into Papa’s arms and hugged him again.

Mama set the platter of bread firmly on the table beside them. “Enough nonsense now. Sunday, mind the stew. Jack, bank the fire and call your children. It’s time for supper.”

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About the Author

ALETHEA KONTIS is the author of many shiny books and stories for children of all ages, including Enchanted, the acclaimed previous book about the Woodcutter family. A student of science fiction greats Andre Norton and Orson Scott Card, Alethea lives and writes in Virginia. Visit her at www.aletheakontis.com.