Mermaids in a Lake

One morning Pearl and Marigold were out near a lake.

Pearl said, "I think we should go swimming. Let's go and get bathing suits."

Marigold said, "That's a great idea; we should go and do that. But, first we have to see if there is anything dangerous in the lake."

"Right," said Pearl. The two girls returned to their stone hut, which was near the lake, to get their bathing suits. Suddenly, when they stepped into the lake Pearl and Marigold screamed. Their legs were turning into sparkling rainbow fins.

Marigold said, "I think we are mermaids. Do you think we can breathe underwater? Let's find out and go swimming underwater." The two girls dove into the water, quickly discovering they could breathe underwater.

Meeting Pearl

One day on the other side of the forest a girl named Pearl had also lost her parents in a plague. She was frightened and didn't know what to do. Pearl had lovely black hair, often pulled back in a pony tail. She was also seven years old. Pearl ran through the forest looking for someone to help her. As she was running, she bumped into Goldie who was returning to her stone hut.

"Oh excuse me!" said Pearl. "What is your name?"

"My name is Marigold, but my friends call me Goldie. What is your name?"

"My name is Pearl. I am scared. My parents died in a small plague. Can you help me?" asked Pearl.

"Indeed," said Goldie. "Do you want to be friends? I have a small stone hut; do you want to live there with me?"

And that is how Goldie and Pearl became friends, forest friends.

Forest Children

Once upon a time there lived a lovely girl with long blonde hair parted in the middle. Her name was Marigold, but she preferred Goldie. Although she was only seven years old, she lived alone in the forest. She was an orphan because her parents died in a small plague a year before. Soon after their death, Goldie ran frightened through the forest. She stumbled upon a small stone hut deep in the heart of the forest. She peeked under the hut, worried about scary animals. Instead she found a treasure chest filled with gold coins, cups, and jewelry. She used this money to buy food, clothing, and everything she needed to live. When she went out into the nearby town, she was always careful to wear shoes with heels and adult clothing so that no one would know she was an orphan in the forest.