She took one of the mysterious seeds and tossed it away.

The vendor grabbed her hand and snapped, “Look, missy, I don’t know who you think you are. Those seeds are worth more than your life!”

She laughed, tossing back her hair in a way that made everyone who saw it want to strangle her with it.

“Peasant!” she cried, smirking down her nose at him, “I am the daughter of royalty. Everything I touch turns to gold. Nothing is more important than my life.” Here she paused and brought her face close to his in an unpleasant way and continued, “Especially not some silly seed!” And with that she flounced away, pleased with her handling of the peasant.

The vendor watched her go, with a queer look on his gnarled face. Then, as if a funny thought had struck him, he smiled, picked up one of the seeds, and followed the arrogant princess.

It is interesting that the golden-haired girl who so highly prized herself was never seen again, although a squawking bird was left at the door of a certain castle at the top of a giant beanstalk, a chicken that laid golden eggs.

© 2008 Alex C. Original for CCF  (Alex C. grants CCF  first electronic rights for one month; CCF may archive the material indefinitely and include it in an eBook anthology).

* CCF does not publish students' last names on the work they submit for publication.