It was a beautiful morning in the kingdom of Calla. As the saying goes; the sun was shining, the birds were singing, there wasn't a cloud in the sky.

It was a welcome relief to the people of Calla. With the torrents of rain befalling the little kingdom for days on end the sight of the beaming sun in the cloudless sky was a welcome sight. Why, it was a wonderful way to begin the day. A lovely day. In fact, the perfect sort of day for outdoor activities. Like fishing, frolicking in fields, playing ball, picking flowers, or going for a stroll, or ignoring the cries of impending storm coming from the weather mage. It must be ole' Jeremiah at it again. What would he know? Didn't he look at the sky? There wasn't a single cloud in sight. So ignore him the people did.

A terrible mistake.

Before the toll of the mid-day bell, a heavy blanket of dark clouds covered the entire sky, thunder proving a more effective herald then the mage. Those who were out in the sun making light of the old mage's warning were now hastily packing away spread out picnics, or herding their animals inside stables or children inside homes to take shelter from the impeding storm. So old mage was right, what of it? There was no harm done so long as everyone was inside and at shelter.

But alas, not everyone was.

Past the creek marking the border of where the kingdom and the enchanted wood meet a young girl wandered the darkening woods.

With a pout on her face and mud staining her cheek and petticoat, and wilted bouquet in hand Orabella Rosengold Von Lockes or "Goldie" as her friends liked to call her was in quite the mood. In fact if the rain hadn't arrived first one would wonder if her stormy mood had summoned the weather. That is if anyone were there.

The young daughter of the Baron of Calla sniffed as she tossed a wisp of her golden locks away from her face, ignoring the cold chill of the wind. If only she had insisted that they have tea inside like she'd wanted. But alas, her mother had insisted that they enjoy teatime in the great outdoors and get some fresh air.

"The flowers are beautiful. This time of year," Goldie's mother had said earlier over breakfast back home at the manor.

"But we already have flowers," Goldie pointed at the freshly arranged bouquet sitting in the center of the table.

"Yes, however, these are cultivated. What I'm referring to are the wildflowers. Why, it would be a shame not to see the last of summer's splendor before the leaves fall," Goldie's mother shivered at the mere thought of autumn's return.

"I like fall," in fact in Goldie's opinion autumn was superior season. Summer didn't have trees that changed color, or leaves that made crunchy noises when one stepped on them. And summer certainly didn't have pumpkins. How did fairy godmother's chauffeur their charges to the ball in summer? Carriages made from flowers sounded flimsier, pumpkins made for sturdier carriages in Goldie's opinion.

In the end her mother's plan to have tea outside had won. But not just outside on their gazebo like any regular day. No. Goldie's mother had decided a change of scenery was in order. To picnic near the enchanted woods of all places! Her father had decided to go hunting with his friends and mother had determined it best to picnic near the entrance of the woods while he hunted then take lunch together. But lo and behold! Where was Goldie now?

It was plesent at first, the sunshine felt wonderful upon her skin, and Goldie did have fun picking the exotic flowers in the edge of the woods for her own bouquet. But alas! After picking one flower to many Goldie had realized that she had gone to deep. And when she turned around had realized she didn't know the way back. So lo and behold here was Goldie forced to traipse through the woods and get more then enough fresh air, just as her mother wished. And she hadn't even gotten to eat lunch! What Goldie wouldn't give for a hot meal and fire. When she returned to the manor or her father found her first, Goldie vowed never to take teatime outside. Or go picking flowers in the enchanted woods.

"Or perhaps I should never step foot near these dreaded woods ever again," Goldie lifted the hem of her skirt as she stepped over a log being careful not to slip.

The soft droplets of rain took Goldie away from her grievous thoughts and a different sort of chill went up her spine as she looked up. Through the little opening in the treetops little drops of water escaped, dripping down onto the ground of the woods .Whatever woes Goldie had would have to wait, If she didn't find shelter soon then the place she took teatime would be the least of her troubles.

So walk Goldie did. But with the increase of water droplets soaking through the tree canopy and no sign of anyone or shelter all hope of returning home began to dwindle. And in place of indignation it was only now Goldie began to feel frightened.

With numb arms wrapped tight around her shivering form, her bouquet long forgotten somewhere amongst the greenery. Goldie's vision began to blur in the wake of tears.

"Stop it. D-don't cry," Goldie sniffled as she kept the tears at bay, "It's unladylike. And-and if you cry then you won't be going anywhere. Then who will tell mother that we should have had tea in the drawing room after all?"

So engrossed in keeping her composure she didn't notice the signs indicating of a downward slope. And with one misstep she tripped. With a unladylike scream Goldie was falling down the side of the hill. Down, down, down, she rolled breaking twigs and collecting leaves on her way down. Until she landed in a clearing with a final roll.

With no more trees overhead for a makeshift canopy the rain falls down into the clearing unhindered. Shaking the leaves and twigs out of her hair Goldie picked herself up. The clearing she noticed was certainly manmade. And with a jolt of surprise she realized that through the curtain of rain she could make out the shape of a little cottage.

She did it! She found shelter!

With newfound spirit Goldie runs to the cottage. All thought of manners forgotten and all thought on getting out of the soaking rain and cold Goldie flings the door to the cottage open.

Once inside she closes the door lest she let the rain in then made a beeline for the fireplace straight ahead, stepping over a few wooden toys to get there. Goldie lets out a sigh of content as she warms her hands by the fire. Just stepping into the house has already returned some of the warmth she had been sorely needing. But to stand by the fire itself was like heaven. With the feeling returning to her hands Goldie took stock of her surroundings.

The cottage was small but well lived in. It was evident a family lived here if the toys strewn over the rug where anything to go by. Goldie couldn't tell where the kitchen and the living room began and ended. It was one space with the fireplace placed in the center. On one end where three cushioned chairs around a coffee table in a makeshift drawing room setting. And at the other end of the fireplace a dining table with three wooden chairs of different sizes on one end with a stair banister behind it. Goldie was used to having a room for specific uses that seeing one room with multiple functions was odd. It was strange. Strange but cozy.

"And very fond of the number three," Goldie noted, three chairs, three windows, three picture frames per wall, three bowls of porridge.

Goldie's eyes are drawn to the porridge as the scent of wafts over enacting her stomach to gurgle.

After the rain fell she hadn't realized how hungry she was.

Her mother's disappointed click of the tongue resounded in her head as she walked over to the dining table.

"You really shouldn't. Where are your manners?"

To be honest Goldie didn't care much about manners at the moment. She was tired, hungry and wet. Besides, her father was the baron of Calla for goodness sake. She would just tell him to pay the family back.

And with that thought in mind Goldie only had one question.

Which bowl should she pick?