The Great Meadowing Egg Challenge

The air in Meadowing was filled with excitement, a special event was about to start. The scent of fresh grass and spring flowers was floating in the breeze, mixed with the sound of children’s laughter. It was that time of year again, the egg hunt; a cherished tradition that Zuleika refused to miss.

She was not much of a painter, nor had the patience for it. Stiffing still for too long made her feel restless, and fine, delicate brushwork ? Absolutely not her style. But hiding the eggs? Now that was an adventure she could throw herself into.

Perched atop a wooden crate, arms crossed, she was surveying the preparations.

“Alright, you lot!” she bellowed, making a few nearby kids jump out of surprise. “Who is ready for the best and absolutely impossible egg hunt in Meadowing history ?!” she almost yelled.

A chorus of cheers erupted from the kids but the adults nearby exchanged wary glances at her. They knew Zuleika too well.

“Zuleika, go easy this time!” called out an elderly woman, shaking her head. “Last year, three kids ended up in the river then got sick.”

“Only one went in the river, Marla ! And he said it was the best time of his life!” Zuleika shot back, grinning. Then, before anyone could argue further, she grabbed a basket of eggs and dashed off to do her task.

She hid them high and low. One egg was perched precariously on a tree branch. Only slightly dangerous, as she reasoned to herself. Another was nestled inside a hollow log, waiting to be discovered by small hands that were brave enough to reach inside. She placed some in tricky spots, under loose floorboards and behind flower pots, all while cackling to herself like a mischievous fox.

Her personal favorite was the one she dangled over the river using an intricate contraption of twine and sturdy branch. It swayed slightly and was shimmering with vibrant colors and gold patterns. She folded her arms, satisfied. “That one is for the real champions, hehe.”

When the hunt began, chaos started. Kids tore through the field, overturning bushes and climbing low-hanging branches. Some of them groaned loudly when they found the trickiest hiding spots, but she only laughed harder as she observed.

One particularly determined boy spotted the egg over the river and let out an exaggerated groan. “Zuleika ! That’s impossible to get here!” he said exasperated.

She wiggled her eyebrows at him. “Not if you’re clever enough. Think, kid. You’ve got this. And if anything happens, I’ll be there.”

He huffed, then started thinking about how to get there. With a little bit of teamwork, the kids eventually retrieved the egg; they were victorious and beaming with pride. Zuleika whooped in triumph alongside them.

As the sun started to go down, she found herself surrounded by exhausted but grinning childs. Their baskets brimming with colorful and shimmery eggs. One little girl tugged on her sleeve. “Zuleika, will you hide them again next year ?” she asked gently.

She ruffled the girl’s hair with a wide grin. “Oh, you bet. And next time will be even harder.”

As the sun started to go down, she found herself surrounded by exhausted but grinning childs. Their baskets brimming with colorful and shimmery eggs. One little girl tugged on her sleeve. “Zuleika, will you hide them again next year ?” she asked gently.

She ruffled the girl’s hair with a wide grin. “Oh, you bet. And next time will be even harder.”