The Fox and the Horse
The Fox and the Horse — an illustrated tales story. 10 illustrated pages, free to read on Wonder Tales.
Page 1
In a village woven amongst the treetops, where rainbow bridges arched between homes nestled in the branches, lived Reynard the Fox, a sly trickster, and Barra, a hardworking horse. Barra, strong and loyal, toiled endlessly for the village, while Reynard, driven by insatiable greed, sought only ways to enrich himself. Their paths, so different, were destined to collide, bringing either ruin or revelation to the vibrant arboreal community.
Page 2
Barra strained, hauling wood to repair a storm-damaged bridge. Reynard sauntered over, his voice dripping with false concern. "Such labor for so little reward, Barra! Surely a beast of your strength deserves more than splinters and sweat?" Barra sighed, wiping his brow. "It's honest work, Reynard. The village depends on it."
Page 3
"Honest, perhaps, but hardly profitable," Reynard countered, circling Barra like a vulture. "I heard tell of a farmer, miles from here, desperate for a strong animal to till his fields. He's offering a pile of gold for a beast of burden. More gold than you'll see in ten lifetimes!" Barra paused, considering the offer. "Gold is tempting, Reynard, but what of my duty to the village?"
Page 4
Reynard pressed his advantage. "Duty? What good is duty when your belly is empty and your hooves are worn? This farmer's land is rich and fertile. Easy work, endless food, and enough gold to live like a king! Think of the ease, Barra! No more heavy loads. No more thankless villagers."
Page 5
Barra hesitated, his eyes fixed on the distant horizon. The image of a mountain of gold clouded his mind. The villagers had always taken his labor for granted, hadn't they? Perhaps he deserved a life of ease and luxury. "I don't know, Reynard," Barra mumbled. "Leaving the village feels...wrong."
Page 6
Reynard seized his chance. "Wrong? Barra, 'the journey of a thousand miles begins with a single step,' as Lao Tzu said! Don't let fear hold you back from a better life! I'll even guide you to the farm myself. Think of it as a little adventure, a well-deserved break from this...drudgery."
Page 7
"Very well," Barra declared, his voice betraying a hint of apprehension. "I'll go. But only to see this farm. If I don't like what I find, I'm turning back." Reynard grinned, his eyes glinting with triumph. "Of course, Barra, of course! We'll leave at dawn."
Page 8
The farm, when they reached it, was a desolate wasteland. The fields were barren, the farmhouse dilapidated, and the farmer a cruel, whip-wielding man. "Get to work!" the farmer barked, cracking his whip. "No rest until the sun sets!" Barra's heart sank. Reynard had lied.
Page 9
Barra, exhausted and remorseful, knew he had made a terrible mistake. He missed the camaraderie of the villagers, the satisfaction of honest labor, and the beauty of his treehouse home. With a surge of newfound courage, he broke free from the farmer's grasp and fled, leaving the empty gold behind.
Page 10
Barra returned to the treehouse village, humbled and wiser. The villagers welcomed him back with open arms, understanding his momentary lapse in judgment. Reynard, vanished with his meager gold. And so, Barra learned that true wealth lies not in fleeting riches, but in loyalty, community, and the satisfaction of honest work. The gold he chased was the very thing that nearly cost him everything he truly valued.
About this story
- Audience: kids (ages 6–12)
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