The Boy Who Planted a Forest

An illustrated stories story from Wonder Books — free to read, with narration.

The Boy Who Planted a Forest — an illustrated stories story. 10 illustrated pages, free to read on Wonder Books.

The Boy Who Planted a Forest — book cover — Wonder Books
The Boy Who Planted a Forest — an illustrated stories story. 10 illustrated pages, free to read on Wonder Books.

Page 1

Sami trudged through the dusty fields, his small hands clutching a bag filled with seeds. He surveyed the barren landscape, a deep frown etched on his face.
Sami trudged through the dusty fields, his small hands clutching a bag filled with seeds. He surveyed the barren landscape, a deep frown etched on his face. "This used to be a forest, Grandpa," he muttered to himself. A gentle breeze rustled the few remaining leaves on a gnarled old tree.

Sami trudged through the dusty fields, his small hands clutching a bag filled with seeds. He surveyed the barren landscape, a deep frown etched on his face. "This used to be a forest, Grandpa," he muttered to himself. A gentle breeze rustled the few remaining leaves on a gnarled old tree.

Page 2

Lian, Sami's grandmother, approached him, her eyes filled with a quiet understanding. "The land remembers, Sami," she said, placing a comforting hand on his…
Lian, Sami's grandmother, approached him, her eyes filled with a quiet understanding. "The land remembers, Sami," she said, placing a comforting hand on his shoulder. "Even after the fires, life persists. We just need to give it a chance."

Lian, Sami's grandmother, approached him, her eyes filled with a quiet understanding. "The land remembers, Sami," she said, placing a comforting hand on his shoulder. "Even after the fires, life persists. We just need to give it a chance."

Page 3

"But how, Lian?" Sami asked, his voice tinged with despair. "The soil is dead, and the rains haven't come in years." Lian smiled, a twinkle in her eye.
"But how, Lian?" Sami asked, his voice tinged with despair. "The soil is dead, and the rains haven't come in years." Lian smiled, a twinkle in her eye. "Patience, little one. Even the tallest tree starts as a tiny seed.

"But how, Lian?" Sami asked, his voice tinged with despair. "The soil is dead, and the rains haven't come in years." Lian smiled, a twinkle in her eye. "Patience, little one. Even the tallest tree starts as a tiny seed.

Page 4

Sami started planting, one seed at a time. He watered each one with the little water he had, whispering encouragements. Days turned into weeks, and still…
Sami started planting, one seed at a time. He watered each one with the little water he had, whispering encouragements. Days turned into weeks, and still, nothing sprouted. The other children laughed, calling him 'Sami the Seedling'.

Sami started planting, one seed at a time. He watered each one with the little water he had, whispering encouragements. Days turned into weeks, and still, nothing sprouted. The other children laughed, calling him 'Sami the Seedling'.

Page 5

One day, Stefan, the village elder, approached Sami. "Why do you waste your time, child?" he scoffed. "This land is cursed.
One day, Stefan, the village elder, approached Sami. "Why do you waste your time, child?" he scoffed. "This land is cursed. Nothing will ever grow here again." Sami stood tall, his small frame defiant. "As Helen Keller said, 'Optimism is the faith that leads to achievement. Nothing can be done without hope and confidence,' Stefan. I believe this forest can grow again."

One day, Stefan, the village elder, approached Sami. "Why do you waste your time, child?" he scoffed. "This land is cursed. Nothing will ever grow here again." Sami stood tall, his small frame defiant. "As Helen Keller said, 'Optimism is the faith that leads to achievement. Nothing can be done without hope and confidence,' Stefan. I believe this forest can grow again."

Page 6

Sami continued to plant, ignoring the taunts and the doubts. He studied the ancient texts Lian gave him, learning about soil conservation and water harvesting.
Sami continued to plant, ignoring the taunts and the doubts. He studied the ancient texts Lian gave him, learning about soil conservation and water harvesting. He noticed the way the wind blew, the angle of the sun, and the smallest signs of life in the parched earth.

Sami continued to plant, ignoring the taunts and the doubts. He studied the ancient texts Lian gave him, learning about soil conservation and water harvesting. He noticed the way the wind blew, the angle of the sun, and the smallest signs of life in the parched earth.

Page 7

One evening, while reading an ancient scroll, Sami discovered a forgotten technique: using clay pots buried underground to slowly release water to the roots.
One evening, while reading an ancient scroll, Sami discovered a forgotten technique: using clay pots buried underground to slowly release water to the roots. "Lian!" he exclaimed, rushing to show her the scroll. "This could save our seedlings!"

One evening, while reading an ancient scroll, Sami discovered a forgotten technique: using clay pots buried underground to slowly release water to the roots. "Lian!" he exclaimed, rushing to show her the scroll. "This could save our seedlings!"

Page 8

They worked together, burying clay pots near each seedling. Then, the miracle happened. A single, tiny green shoot emerged from the earth.
They worked together, burying clay pots near each seedling. Then, the miracle happened. A single, tiny green shoot emerged from the earth. Then another, and another! Soon, the field was covered in a carpet of green.

They worked together, burying clay pots near each seedling. Then, the miracle happened. A single, tiny green shoot emerged from the earth. Then another, and another! Soon, the field was covered in a carpet of green.

Page 9

Years passed. Sami's field grew into a thriving forest, teeming with life. Animals returned, birds sang, and the rains came back.
Years passed. Sami's field grew into a thriving forest, teeming with life. Animals returned, birds sang, and the rains came back. The village, once parched and desolate, bloomed anew.

Years passed. Sami's field grew into a thriving forest, teeming with life. Animals returned, birds sang, and the rains came back. The village, once parched and desolate, bloomed anew.

Page 10

Sami, now a young man, stood at the edge of the forest, gazing at the vibrant tapestry of life he had created. He smiled, remembering Lian's words: 'Even the…
Sami, now a young man, stood at the edge of the forest, gazing at the vibrant tapestry of life he had created. He smiled, remembering Lian's words: 'Even the tallest tree starts as a tiny seed.' And one boy's hope can turn a desert into a forest.

Sami, now a young man, stood at the edge of the forest, gazing at the vibrant tapestry of life he had created. He smiled, remembering Lian's words: 'Even the tallest tree starts as a tiny seed.' And one boy's hope can turn a desert into a forest.

About this story

  • Audience: kids (ages 6–12)

More Wonder Books stories

All Wonder Books stories · Open the library