The Game of the Golden Egg by J H Singer was inspired by one of Aesop’s Fables, The Goose that Lays the Golden Egg, which dates back to approximately 600 BC. I’m sure we all know the lesson of the story. It is a reminder to not let greed of a much riskier, but possible larger short term gain outweigh the assurance of long term benefits.

Many of the games during the 1800’s focused on moral teachings and educational aspects. It would seem the game play, albeit simplistic, with the illustrations, worked together to teach the lesson of the Golden Egg tale. Although movement of game pieces is by chance, a player should never feel the greed for the egg if they are in lead – for they may quickly lose that lead, and instead be last. A short term gain may not lead to long term winnings.

The box cover shows a large white goose standing within its nest with a golden egg below her. Opening up the lid is the game board set inside, with game pieces and spinner. The board is a circular track of alternating yellow and red spaces. Images of geese and eggs decorate the edges and spaces.

The object of the game is to be the first player to reach the nest with the golden egg. The golden egg game piece is wonderfully crafted out of wood. It is placed in the nest to await the player, the first goose, who claims it, and wins the game.

To begin the game, all players begin in the nest, as a goose. They spin the indicator, and move accordingly, depending on other players positions and egg spaces on the board.

One of the rules for the game is that a player cannot pass another goose (player) on the board. So if the first player to spin, spins a 3, and the next player spins a 4, the second player cannot move 4, but must take the first space behind him.

There are 8 egg spaces on the track of the board. If a player spins and lands on this space, his piece moves to the back of the line.

The egg space allows the chance for each player to move into the first position and gain the lead.

It is one of the rarer games by J H Singer.

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