The Dreamtime Serpent
The Dreamtime Serpent — an illustrated stories story. 10 illustrated pages, free to read on Wonder Books.
Page 1
"Hurry, Elara! We'll be late for the Storytelling Ceremony," bellowed a voice from above. Elara, a young girl with eyes full of wonder, scurried up the winding stairs carved into the ancient tree's trunk. Around her, the school buzzed with the cheerful chaos of students from every season, heading towards the heartwood hall where the eldest treekeepers shared their lore. Sunlight streamed through stained-glass windows depicting the Dreamtime Serpent.
Page 2
Reaching the hall, Elara bumped into her best friend, Rowan. "Look what I found!" Rowan exclaimed, holding up a small, intricately carved wooden disc. "It was hidden inside an old textbook in the library. It shows the Dreamtime Serpent coiled around the tree school." He points to a small inscription along the disc's rim.
Page 3
"'To know the serpent is to know the way,'" Elara read aloud. "Do you think it's real?" Rowan shrugged. "I don't know, but Old Man Willow always says, 'The only true wisdom is in knowing you know nothing,' which Socrates said. Maybe this disc can teach us something new about the school's secrets." Elara nods, a determined glint in her eyes. "Let's find out!"
Page 4
Following the serpent's spiral pattern on the disc, they arrived at a hidden door behind the library bookshelves. "I can hear water!" Rowan whispered, placing his ear against the door. Elara pushed, but the door wouldn't budge. "Try the disc! Maybe it's a key," Elara suggested. Rowan inserted the disc into a small slot beside the door.
Page 5
The door creaked open, revealing a narrow passage leading downwards. A faint, shimmering light emanated from below. "Did you know," Elara asked, leading the way, "that old trees like this can have their own underground rivers? They are connected to the land's magical energy, like the Dreamtime stories say."
Page 6
Suddenly, the passage began to shake violently. "Earthquake!" Rowan shouted, grabbing Elara's arm. The walls crumbled, blocking their exit. "We're trapped!" Elara exclaimed, fear creeping into her voice. A large section of the tunnel collapsed, revealing a vast underground cavern filled with glowing crystals and rushing water.
Page 7
"The disc!" Rowan yelled over the roaring water. "It showed the serpent protecting the tree's roots. Maybe it can help us!" Elara closed her eyes, holding the disc tightly. "Think about the serpent's path, Rowan," she instructed. "How it flows around the tree, finding the strongest points."
Page 8
Elara pointed toward a narrow crevice hidden behind a waterfall. "There! The serpent always seeks the hidden path!" With renewed hope, they fought their way through the cascading water and squeezed through the crevice. Emerging on the other side, they found themselves in a smaller cave, where the underground river flowed calmer. "It's working!" Rowan cried. "Like the Dreamtime Serpent, we found our own path!"
Page 9
Following the river, they eventually found another passage that led back up to the library. "We did it!" Elara exclaimed, breathless but triumphant. "The Dreamtime Serpent guided us home!" Rowan grinned. "Old Man Willow always says that wisdom isn't about knowing everything, but about learning something new every day."
Page 10
"We learned that even the oldest stories hold true power, Rowan," Elara said, looking back at the tree school. "And that even when things get shaky, friendship and a little bit of ancient wisdom can guide you through." With newfound respect for the old tales, they rejoined the Storytelling Ceremony, ready to listen with wiser ears.
About this story
- Audience: kids (ages 6–12)