The Goblin and the Grocer
The Goblin and the Grocer — an illustrated tales story. 10 illustrated pages, free to read on Wonder Tales.
Page 1
In the heart of a colossal, wandering tree, where seasons painted their hues on its bark, stood the Conservatory of the Wandering Wood. Here, among whispering instruments and rustling leaves, lived Elara, the meticulous grocer, and Grindle, the enigmatic goblin. Elara yearned for truth, while Grindle craved gold. Their intertwined fate, a tale of honesty tested by temptation, was about to unfold within the tree's leafy embrace.
Page 2
Elara arranged her wares with care, each apple polished, each carrot aligned. 'A fair price for honest goods,' she muttered, but her heart whispered of bigger dreams. One day, a peculiar peddler arrived, his cart laden with tarnished mirrors. 'They show not what is, but what could be,' he rasped, offering one to Elara.
Page 3
'What's this rubbish?' Grindle cackled, snatching the mirror. 'It shows me piles of gold! Mountains of it!' Elara frowned. 'Mirrors reflect only truth, Grindle, or so they say.' He scoffed. 'Truth is what you make it, grocer! This mirror shows me my destiny!'
Page 4
That night, Grindle crept into Elara's stall. He swapped a few ordinary carrots for carrots seemingly spun from gold. 'Just a taste of what's to come,' he whispered, admiring his handiwork. The next morning, a customer gasped. 'Gold carrots! I'll pay double!' Elara's heart pounded.
Page 5
The golden carrots vanished as quickly as they appeared. Elara's stall became the envy of the Conservatory. Grindle appeared, a glint in his eye. 'More?' he asked. 'But we have no gold,' Elara protested, her brow furrowed with doubt. 'The forest provides,' Grindle whispered. 'Deep within its heart, a vein of pure gold awaits.'
Page 6
Driven by the allure of prosperity, Elara followed Grindle into the heart of the Wandering Wood. The trees grew taller, the shadows deeper. Grindle chattered of riches beyond imagination. 'But is it right?' Elara wondered aloud, her conscience gnawing at her. 'What did Voltaire say? 'The best is the enemy of the good.'' Grindle scoffed.
Page 7
They reached a cavern bathed in an unnatural golden light. Veins of pure gold pulsed within the rock walls. Grindle lunged forward, stuffing his pockets. 'Take what you want!' he shrieked. Elara hesitated, the tarnished mirror clutched in her hand. The reflection showed not riches, but a barren stall, stripped bare of honest goods.
Page 8
Elara dropped the mirror. The image shattered, and with it, the illusion. 'This isn't prosperity, Grindle, it's ruin!' she cried. Grindle ignored her, lost in his golden frenzy. Suddenly, the cavern shook. The gold pulsed brighter, hotter.
Page 9
The veins of gold pulsed so violently that the support structures crumbled! Grindle was trapped, buried beneath his golden obsession! Elara knew she had to escape or suffer a similar fate. Her desire for truth rose higher than her temptation for gold!
Page 10
Elara returned to her stall, no richer in coin, but infinitely wealthier in spirit. Honesty, she learned, was a treasure more valuable than gold. And the goblin who chased that gold found himself buried beneath it, a testament to where such greed ultimately leads.
About this story
- Audience: kids (ages 6–12)
Questions and answers
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