I awoke the next morning feeling pretty awesome, which is unusual. I usually wake up thinking about Eloise or the jewelry I wish I had. I walked out into our cooking/hanging out area of the hut. I almost gave my mom a heart attack when she saw I was already awake. My dad oddly looked very happy.
“Dad, you’re smiling! Are you okay?!” I laughed.
My dad smiled even bigger and walked to me, well kind of hopped.
“Thumpbutt is gone!” He announced. My mom shook her head.
“The poor guy.” She sighed. My dad laughed and cheered while my mom rolled her eyes. I ate my breakfast and asked about Thumpbutt, the grumpiest goat I’ve ever seen. It turns out that my dad traded him to an old guy who loves pet goats for some new clothes for all of us. My dad got some new pants, my mom a blouse, and me...I got a beautiful new dress. Not really a formal dress, but not an everyday dress either. It was a beautiful soft reddish pink.
“Is it...berry-died?” I gasped. My dad proudly nodded. Getting berry-died clothes to look this good was very hard, mostly because we ate berries when we could find them. I hugged my parents. I loved them so much.
Later, I went outside and felt just so good. I said hello to everyone, Anne and her family, Unther, and even Eloise. She looked surprised I was talking to her, but she stiffly said “hi” back.
Anne and I talked about the stone, what jewelry we would get if we could get some, and other random stuff. I kept thinking about the stone. I decided to go back there, with Anne, today.
“Anne, we just have to go again! I want to see it again!” I exclaimed. Anne laughed.
“Are you sure it isn’t the stone possessing you or something?”
I smiled and shook my head.
“No, it’s….it’s just….hard to explain. I just have to see it again!” I explained. Anne smiled.
“Told ya you’d like the surprise. Great finding too! If I ever see that rabbit again, I’ll make sure to tell him thank you!” We both laughed.
I had really wanted to go to see the stone but Anne had to help her parents clean her house because they are getting an addition.
“Kate, really. Just go on your own. It’s not that far in, it’s just kinda hidden, but once you see the rock that is kind of heart-shaped and the vines, you know you’re near it.” Anne told me.
“You sure?” I asked for the 4 billionth time. “I can just go another time.”
Anne kept assuring me to go on my own. So I did. Anne was able to make me a sort of map so I wouldn’t get this “one part of the area confused”.
“Okay, left from the...the...oh the tree with the beehive...oh, glad I didn’t bump into that…” She would've been able to explain more but her parents called for her.
I followed the directions and pictures on the map, and found the beautiful stone. I was about to pick it up when something shiny gleamed in the corner of my eye.
I looked up and saw another stone. It looked the same, dark purplish, but it was bigger, like the size of a strawberry. I went over to that stone. It was so beautiful, I wondered why people hadn't found it and made it into fancy jewelry for like 5 cows. I did want it, but what would I do with it? If I came home carrying a big shiny purple rock, and then paid our best pig for it to be made into a set of jewelry, a necklace...and a bracelet, maybe even earrings! I scolded myself for thinking how amazing it would be to have jewelry, have everyone stare at you and think you’re rich (in animals anyway) and...I did it again! I looked at the rock again. I decided to pick it up.
I reached down at the beautiful rock, and picked it up.