Chapter 7

Dark clouds were rolling in when Maggie finally reached the cottage. Her heart sank when she saw Zelia and Peter waiting for her on the front doorstep.

“What were you thinking?” Zelia snapped. “Peter said you let a fish go—on purpose!”

Maggie nodded. “It’s true, I did. But it was a talking fish. It promised to grant me a wish if I let it go.”

“Fish don’t talk, Maggie. You probably just heard its last gasps of air. You always let your imagination run wild! This time you cost the entire family a nice supper!” Zelia shouted.

“I brought berries with me, though,” said Maggie.

“Berries and two little fish. That’s not enough for supper! You don’t think of anyone but yourself. And what took you so long to get back here?”

“I was right behind Peter, but then I helped a girl catch her goose. I brought you this, Stepmother.” Maggie held out the egg.

“What is that?” asked Peter, taking it from her.

“A golden egg,” said Maggie. “Be careful with it! The goose laid it. The girl gave it to me for helping her.”

“That’s ridiculous!” exclaimed Zelia. “There is no such thing as a goose that lays golden eggs.”

“Wait, Mother. Look at this,” Peter said. He handed the egg to her. “I think it might be real.”

Zelia looked exasperated. She held the egg as if she was going to throw it away . . . until she examined it more closely. She rubbed it with her finger, gently digging her fingernail into it. “It just might be,” Zelia said under her breath. She turned back to Maggie. “Where did you say you got this?”

“The girl who owned the goose gave it to me,” said Maggie.

Zelia’s eyes narrowed. “The girl has a goose that lays golden eggs and all you got was one egg? Why didn’t you bring home the goose? Do you know how much we could have used all of its eggs?”

“It wasn’t mine to bring home,” Maggie replied. “Eglantine belongs to another family.”

Zelia’s face turned red. “You lose our supper and a golden goose all in one day! I can’t believe it. I’m sick and tired of your foolishness and all your lies. You cost us more than you’re worth. I don’t want you here any longer.”

Tears began to fill Maggie’s eyes. “What are you saying?”

“You’re no longer welcome in this cottage. Go away, Maggie, and don’t ever come back!”

“I was born in this cottage! I’ve lived here my whole life,” Maggie cried. “This is my home! Father would never make me leave home like this!”

“But he’s not here, so I’m in charge. This isn’t your home anymore,” said Zelia. “It’s time for you to find a new one!”

Maggie scrubbed the tears from her eyes with her knuckles. She didn’t like Zelia and Peter anyway. Any place would be better without them!