Folksburywoods Story Blog

It had been a disappointing day. Could the mine be petering out? Gojeck worried he might not be able to feed his family.

All he knew was mining. He couldn’t compete with the younger farmhands, so how would he make a living?

Tomorrow may be better, the miner thought. “It’s time I put my tools away and get home to supper. Anya will be waiting,” muttered Gojeck.

As he picked up the stone chisel, Gojeck noticed an outcrop with pink quartz embedded on its edge. “That will buy a loaf or two,” said the miner, drawing back his pick axe.

With a swift motion, the miner placed the axe’s point right next to the quartz. Then, a quick twist of the handle, and the stone popped out.

“Aye, that is a pretty one. Not a bad day after all,” said Gojeck, picking up the pinkish stone to remove the surrounding rock.

As he stood, he saw something shiny embedded in the rock. Carefully placing the chisel point next to the object, he gave it a solid rap. The wall crumbled into a pile of loose rock on the floor.

In the center lay a spherical object the color of gold. “This can’t be,” said Gojeck.

Picking up the sphere, he rubbed off the attached rock to reveal an egg-shaped nugget of pure gold. Legs shaking, he rushed out into the fading light to get a better look.

“My GOD, it’s a Romanoff’s egg,” The miner had heard stories of rare golden nuggets in the shape of eggs, which were named after the jeweled eggs of the Tsar.

Crouching in the evening light, he gazed upon the object’s perfect shape. “I’ll never need to work again,” said Gojeck. Carefully wrapping the egg, he gathered his tools out of habit and rushed home.

“Where have you been, Love? The soup is getting cold, and we can’t afford to waste what we can’t buy,” said Anya.

“Buy? We can buy a kingdom or two; our troubles are over,” shouted her husband. Gojeck showed his wife the egg and explained that any nobleman would give him his weight in gold coin for such a rare find.

“But we don’t need it, and you know what the tales say about those who get that much gold. Trouble is what they say,” remarked Anya.

Gojeck’s mood dampened, and he thought about his wife’s words. “Why do you always have to be so wise, you old hen,” said Gojeck with a wry smile.

“Oh, it’s wine, woman, and song, right? No, thank you, Gojeck Pandore. I’ll stay here and enjoy life’s pleasure as I was meant to, ” said Anya.

Feeling sheepish, the miner said, “Oh, the wine maybe, but the others would only give me a headache, and besides, where would I find a lass wiser than myself,” said the miner with a wink.

“Sell it as you say, but a bag of gold is more than we need. The rest needs to go to the Abbott for the widows and orphans. War with the Mörken the Dark One left so many in need,” said Anya.

“Aye, lass, your words hold a nugget of truth. I should not have thought otherwise,” replied Gojeck. The following day, the two went to the Abbott and arranged for the egg’s sale together.

Gojeck still goes to the mine, and Anya keeps her chickens, but now they never worry about filling the soup pot. Instead, they live joyfully, knowing their happiness is shared by those who once had an empty bowl and a broken heart.