Marigold and the Missing Firefly

The New copy of this book will include any supplemental materials advertised. Please check the title of the book to determine if it should include any access cards, study guides, lab manuals, CDs, etc.

The Used, Rental and eBook copies of this book are not guaranteed to include any supplemental materials. Typically, only the book itself is included. This is true even if the title states it includes any access cards, study guides, lab manuals, CDs, etc.

Chapter One

A Present

One warm, sunny morning at Clover-leaf Cottage, Marigold woke up late. She fluttered down from her flower bed to the ground below. Next to her flower's stem she was surprised to find a large package wrapped in shiny gold paper. She checked the label. Her family had sent it. "Goody!" Marigold exclaimed. She loved presents as much as she loved food.

Holes had been punched in the top of the package, and Marigold wondered what could be inside. Quickly, she tore off the paper and opened the box. Inside was another, slightly smaller box. This box had a lid, and holes had been punched in it, too.

Marigold lifted the lid. To her delight, a firefly with glossy black wings and a red head looked up at her from the box. He flickered his green light in greeting. Then he stretched his wings and stood up on six shaky legs.

"You're a cute little fellow," said Marigold. At home she and her sister had often had fireflies as pets.

The firefly nuzzled Marigold's hand. She patted his head. "I think I'll call you Flash."

As if to show that he liked his new name, Flash winked his green light on and off again. Then he climbed out of his box, turned in a circle, and looked all around the flower garden where the junior fairies slept.

"You'll like it here," said Marigold. "Shall I show you around?"

Flash bobbed his head as if to say yes.

"Then come with me," said Marigold. Still dressed in pajamas, she fluttered her wings and flew up above the garden. In a moment Flash caught up with her. When they passed over a rosebush, she pointed to a large pink rose at the top of the bush. "That's where my best friend, Rose, sleeps," she told him. Then she pointed out the flower beds of the other six junior fairies. Her friends were at breakfast now. Marigold would have been there too, if she hadn't woken up late.

After they flew over the flower garden, Marigold took Flash down to the golden bridge that crossed over the stream in front of Cloverleaf Cottage. The sparkly jewels that decorated the bridge's rails seemed to excite Flash. He zipped back and forth over the rails several times, stopping to peer closely at the diamonds, emeralds, and rubies.

On the other side of the bridge, a path bordered with pink-blossomed clover led into the village. "Stay on this side of the bridge," Marigold told Flash. "We'll explore the village another day."

Flash seemed happy to do as she asked. He stuck close to Marigold's side as they left the bridge and fluttered over the cottage's front lawn to land on the clover-covered roof. From there Marigold pointed out the stables, where three winged ponies were kept, and the forest behind. She would've taken Flash inside the cottage to meet the other fairies next, but it was almost time for class. So instead they flew back to Marigold's flower bed. Quickly, she waved her wand and changed her pajamas into a dress.

"I wish I could take you with me," said Marigold. "But I don't think Mistress Lily would allow pets in class. Maybe you should stay in your box until I get back."Flash's wings went all droopy, but he dutifully crawled into his box. "Don't be sad," said Marigold. "I'll be back soon." Flash must have understood because he bobbed his head, then lay down in a corner of the box. Marigold set the lid on top. As she flew to the cottage, she hoped Flash wouldn't get too lonely while she was gone.

---

Excerpted from Marigold and the Missing Firefly by Suzanne Williams
All rights reserved by the original copyright owners. Excerpts are provided for display purposes only and may not be reproduced, reprinted or distributed without the written permission of the publisher.