Marigolds (short story)

[2][3] The story “Marigolds” is about a young African-American girl named Lizabeth who grew up during the Great Depression.

As they run away from Miss Lottie's house after calling her an "old lady witch", Lizabeth begins to think about her actions and how they affect others.

Later that night, Lizabeth hears her parents argue about jobs and money and talk about how they feel they cannot support themselves.

As Lizabeth realizes that the marigolds she destroyed were the only bit of hope and beauty Miss Lottie had left, she starts to regret her actions.

In the present, Lizabeth, who is now an adult, looks back on her childish actions with regret and says that their encounter was the end of her innocence and childhood.