Treasure

“Treasure” by Holly Sheidenberger

Always wondered if there really was a pot of gold at the end of the rainbow. Decided to go find out.

Wasn’t that hard. Surprised more folks don’t give it a try.

Found an iron cauldron full of gold coins.

Didn’t know what to do with the things. Thought about melting ’em down.

Found out a blacksmith’s forge would be just the thing, so I built one.

Melted the things down and got rich off the gold. But what was I gonna do with that forge?

Got to looking at that iron cauldron… Decided to make a wrought iron chandelier. Turned out pretty good.

Some rich lady loved the thing. Sold it to her even though I didn’t need the money.

Did need the work, though. Spend all my time with that forge now, making chandeliers. Never been so happy in my life.

Turns out the real treasure wasn’t the gold after all.

Secret of Bliss

“Secret of Bliss” by Holly Sheidenberger

Barb was mean.

Her husband left her long ago, and her children couldn’t wait to move out.

She cut her hair short and moved to the country with her Chihuahua.

Last March she treated herself to a visit to the City. She had been away too long.

She caught a peculiar sight: a woman pushing a dog in a baby stroller.

Enthralled, Barb followed the woman to a café.

The woman and her dog got a table, so Barb got a table too.

The woman cooed at the dog like a baby. She shared her food with it and let it lick her face. They both looked so happy.

Barb knew she had found the secret of bliss.

Now she dresses her Chihuahua in baby clothes and kisses it on the mouth.

Unfortunately, she is still mean.