Jahrra's Journal: Treasure Trove

Hello readers!  This week's entry in Jahrra's Journal describes the scene in Jahrra's classroom the day after they received the riddle from their teacher.  Some of the students don't seem interested in figuring the riddle out until their teacher shows the the prizes they might win if they do.  Enjoy!
-J.E. Johnson

Treasure Trove

Dear Journal,

Mr. Cohrbin asked us today if anyone had figured out the riddle he gave us yesterday. Most of the students looked at him blankly, as if they didn't know what he was talking about. I just frowned. I had tried, but I still hadn't figured it out before bedtime. Ellysian shouted out (because she doesn't think she should have to raise her hand like the rest of us since her father owns half of the Raenyan Valley). She was complaining that the riddle was stupid and a waste of time.

Mr. Cohrbin only smiled (I gave her a rude look, but she didn't see it because she was too busy sneering at Mr. Cohrbin) and pulled out a dusty old wooden box from a drawer in his desk.

'So you wouldn't be interested in seeing what the prizes are, then?'

Everyone in the class sat up straight right then, no longer looking bored. Gieaun took her gaze from the window, Scede stopped doodling on some paper he had, even nasty Eydeth and Ellysian lowered their eyes to everyone else's level.

'These are just some of the things I've collected over the years that you might be able to choose from should you feel inclined to answer my riddles . . .' he gave a quirky grin and opened the box. My jaw dropped. He held up the first item, 'The cocoon of a ponyfly . . .'

It looked like a gem: brilliant green and gold and ruby. It was kept in a glass vial filled with a clear liquid. 'It sits in water and is currently dormant, but when placed in the right environment it just might emerge as an adult ponyfly.'

Gieaun's eyes grew round as saucers and I knew she would be paying closer attention to Mr. Cohrbin's riddles from now on. To have your own ponyfly, a palm-sized insect with clear fairy-like wings that resembled a tiny horse. I wasn't able to get a good look at what else was in the box, for Mr. Cohrbin replaced the ponyfly cocoon and put the box away.

'I'll show you more later, but right now we have to start our writing lesson.' Everyone groaned, even me. I like writing, but I wanted to see what else was in that box . . . .

-Jahrra

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Want to read more about Jahrra and her adventures?  Download The Legend of Oescienne - The Finding, the first book in the Oescienne series, for FREE from Amazon.com!