The Boy King Tutankhamun
The Boy King Tutankhamun — an illustrated stories story, set in Egypt. 10 illustrated pages, free to read on Wonder Books.
Page 1
Farah skipped through the Grand Egyptian Museum in Cairo, her eyes darting from exhibit to exhibit. "Naya, look!" she exclaimed, pointing to a golden mask encased in glass. "It's Tutankhamun's!" Naya smiled. As Farah gazed at the mask, the museum around her seemed to dissolve. A rush of sand-filled wind enveloped her, and the scent of incense filled the air.
Page 2
Farah gasped. "Where are we?" she asked, looking around. Naya shielded her eyes, gazing at the towering sandstone structures ahead. "We appear to be in ancient Egypt, Farah, perhaps during the New Kingdom." A young boy, adorned in royal garments, approached them, carried on a litter by four servants. He held a golden ankh in his hand.
Page 3
"Welcome," the boy king said, his voice surprisingly strong. "I am Tutankhamun, pharaoh of Egypt." He gestured towards Farah with a curious gaze. "Who are you, and what brings you to my kingdom?" Farah stepped forward, her eyes wide with amazement. "I'm Farah, and this is Naya. We didn't mean to intrude; we were just at the museum."
Page 4
"A museum?" Tutankhamun tilted his head. "I do not know this word. But you arrive at an important time. We are about to celebrate the Opet Festival at Luxor. Come, join the procession!" He snapped his fingers, and a servant offered Farah and Naya places near him on the litter. Naya eyed the boy king cautiously, then nodded to Farah. "It seems we're going to learn about the New Kingdom firsthand."
Page 5
As the procession moved, Farah noticed a scribe struggling to keep up, scrolls tumbling from his arms. "He looks like he needs help," she whispered to Naya. Naya nodded, remembering something she'd read about ancient Egyptian writing. "Farah, do you recall what the British archaeologist Howard Carter said after discovering Tutankhamun's tomb? 'Every detail is of intense interest!' We should observe closely. We might learn something important."
Page 6
Later, at the festival feast, Farah saw the scribe, Astrid, sitting alone, looking distraught. She approached him cautiously. "Are you alright, Astrid?" she asked. He sighed. "The hymn I was to present to the pharaoh... it is incomplete. A crucial line is missing! Without it, the offering will be meaningless!" He gestured to a papyrus scroll with various hieroglyphs written on it.
Page 7
"Can we help?" Farah asked, her eyes scanning the hieroglyphs. Naya knelt beside them, examining the scroll. "I remember reading about these symbols," Naya said thoughtfully. "The ancient Egyptians believed that certain phrases held immense power. What is the hymn about?" Astrid explained, "It praises the sun god, Ra, and his life-giving power."
Page 8
"Wait!" Farah exclaimed, pointing at a series of symbols. "I remember seeing these on a bracelet in the museum! It meant 'Life from the Sun'. Could that be it?" Astrid's eyes widened. He quickly scribbled the symbols onto the scroll. "By Ra! You are right! 'Life from the Sun' completes the verse! You have saved the offering!" He bowed deeply to Farah.
Page 9
Tutankhamun, hearing the commotion, approached them. "What is happening here?" he asked. Astrid explained how Farah had helped complete the hymn. Tutankhamun smiled at Farah. "You have shown great wisdom, young one. Remember, as the Greek philosopher Socrates said, 'The only true wisdom is in knowing you know nothing.' Never stop learning and questioning!" With a final smile, he waved his hand, and a rush of wind surrounded Farah.
Page 10
Farah blinked, finding herself back in the Grand Egyptian Museum, standing before Tutankhamun's golden mask. She understood now; it wasn't just a beautiful object, but a symbol of a powerful young king and the rich culture of ancient Egypt. "I get it now, Naya," she said softly. "It reminds us what humans can achieve when we strive for greatness."
About this story
- Location: Egypt
- Audience: kids (ages 6–12)