The Owl's Bedtime Story
The Owl's Bedtime Story — an illustrated stories story. 10 illustrated pages, free to read on Wonder Books.
Page 1
"Hurry, Elara, or the frost giants will catch us!" bellowed Bjorn, his breath misting in the frigid air. Elara, bundled in furs, struggled to keep pace as they trudged through the snow-laden tundra. "Are you certain the Whispering Owl's tree is this way?" she asked, her voice tight with apprehension. The wind howled, as if mocking their quest at the edge of the world.
Page 2
Bjorn pointed a mittened hand towards a gnarled, ice-covered tree in the distance. "Old Man Torvin told me, before he became an ice sculpture, that the Whispering Owl's tree holds a secret: a feather that guides dreams." Elara squinted. Half-buried in the snowdrift at her feet, she spotted something glinting. "Bjorn, look! It's a shard of... glass?"
Page 3
"That's not just any glass," a voice croaked. Perched atop the gnarled tree was a small owl, its feathers the color of snow. "It's a dream shard, capable of showing the future of sleep. But beware, only a pure heart can use it." Bjorn looked at Elara. "As Leonardo da Vinci said, 'Nothing strengthens authority so much as silence.' Maybe we should sneak away and find the feather." Elara stood firm. "No, we need to know what is happening in our dreams!"
Page 4
The owl hooted softly. "To use the shard, you must first reach the frozen waterfall." Bjorn groaned. "That's on the other side of the Howling Peaks! It will take days!" Elara, however, was already moving. "We don't have days, Bjorn. My dreams are filled with shadow creatures." As they began their trek, the wind whipped around them, a physical manifestation of the coming challenge.
Page 5
After hours of travel, they stumbled upon a small cave, shielded from the wind. Inside, nestled amongst strange ice formations, was an old map etched onto a reindeer hide. "Look, Bjorn! A map of the peaks!" Elara exclaimed, tracing a path with her finger. "And look! It shows that the 'shadow creatures' feed on negative emotions... fear, sadness, loneliness. If we are brave and happy, they cannot harm us."
Page 6
Suddenly, a tremor shook the cave. Outside, a towering frost giant emerged, its eyes like chips of ice. "Mortals! You trespass on my land!" it bellowed, its voice echoing through the peaks. Bjorn grabbed Elara's hand, fear etched on his face. "Run, Elara, run! We can't fight him!" But as they turned to flee, the cave entrance collapsed, trapping them inside.
Page 7
"We need to be clever," Elara said, trying to keep her voice steady. "Remember what the map said? They feed on fear. We need to think happy thoughts." Bjorn took a deep breath. "Okay... I remember when I caught the biggest fish in the frozen lake!" He started laughing, the sound echoing in the cave. Elara joined in, remembering a funny story Old Man Torvin used to tell. "We are brave and happy, you big bully!" she shouted at the frost giant.
Page 8
The frost giant seemed to shrink back, confused by their laughter. Elara remembered the dream shard. "Now, Bjorn!" she cried. She held up the shard of glass, focusing on a happy memory: her mother singing her a lullaby. The shard glowed, casting a beam of light towards the giant. As if recalling the happy lullaby, the frost giant smiled. "Maybe I don't want to fight! I just need a hug," he said, his voice suddenly gentle.
Page 9
The giant carefully reached into the cave with a massive hand. Elara, without hesitation, stepped forward and gave him a hug. The giant, surprised, chuckled. With a gentle push, he cleared the collapsed entrance. "Thank you," he rumbled. "I just needed a little kindness.
Page 10
Standing at the edge of the tundra, Elara and Bjorn watched the giant disappear into the swirling snow.
About this story
- Audience: kids (ages 6–12)
Questions and answers
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