The King of the Golden Mountain
The King of the Golden Mountain — an illustrated tales story. 10 illustrated pages, free to read on Wonder Tales.
Page 1
High atop the Golden Mountain, where starlight kissed the earth, stood the Observatory of Celestial Emotions. King Alaric, burdened by a prophecy, sought to understand the cosmic threads that bound his kingdom. His loyal advisor, Elara, a scholar of ancient lore, held the key to deciphering the stars. But a shadow lurked: Malkor, a sorcerer consumed by greed, craved the mountain's legendary gold, a treasure whispered to grant unimaginable power.
Page 2
Alaric sighed, tracing a finger across a celestial map. "These emotions, Elara, they swirl like storms. How can I protect my people when I cannot understand their hearts?" Elara adjusted her spectacles, her voice calm. "'Know thyself,' your majesty, as Socrates wisely said. Only through understanding our own emotions can we truly guide others. The mountain, with its unique properties, might hold the answers we seek."
Page 3
A frantic messenger burst through the doors, breathless. "Malkor! He's at the foot of the mountain, demanding the gold! He threatens to unleash shadows upon the land!" Alaric's face hardened. "He desires power he cannot control. I will not yield to his greed. Tell the guard to be on alert. I will take the Mirror of Reflection with me." Elara's eyes widened in alarm. "Your Majesty, that mirror is powerful, but unpredictable!" Alaric looked at Elara. "It will show me Malkor's true desires, and perhaps, his fear.
Page 4
As Alaric descended the mountain path, he heard a whisper, smooth as silk. "Give me the gold, King, and I will spare your kingdom from darkness." Malkor emerged from the shadows, his eyes gleaming with ambition. Alaric held up the Mirror of Reflection. "This gold is not mine to give. It belongs to the mountain, and its power should not be wielded by those who seek only to control." Malkor laughed, a chilling sound that echoed through the trees. "Control? It is all that matters!"
Page 5
Malkor raised his hands, and shadows began to swirl around him, coalescing into dark creatures. "Fool! You cannot comprehend the power I possess! Soon, your kingdom will be mine!" Alaric stood firm, holding the mirror. "'The greater the power, the more dangerous the abuse,' Edmund Burke wisely said. Your lust for power blinds you, Malkor."
Page 6
Alaric focused his will, and the Mirror of Reflection shimmered. It projected an image of Malkor as a child, alone and afraid in a dark forest, clutching a small, tarnished coin. "This is your true desire, Malkor? Not gold, not power, but to be free of the fear that haunts you?" Malkor staggered back, clutching his head. "Lies! Illusions!" He unleashed a wave of dark energy towards the King, but Elara threw herself in front of Alaric. The mirror shattered on the ground.
Page 7
Malkor watched in disbelief. "The mirror! You destroyed it! Now I have nothing left!" Alaric rose to his feet. "You had everything, Malkor! The ability to choose a different path! That coin you held as a child was more valuable than all the gold in the world!" Malkor roared. "I will never be weak again!"
Page 8
He lunged at Alaric, but the King stood his ground. "'The greatest glory in living lies not in never falling, but in rising every time we fall,' as Nelson Mandela once wisely said." Alaric turned his back toward Malkor and walked away. Malkor stared at him then vanished into the darkness.
Page 9
Elara reached Alaric and stood with him. "Did you see the constellations? The fear that engulfed him?" Alaric stared at the shattered remains of the mirror. "The constellations aligned to show how the mountain can bring out greed and fear. It will also show us hope. Elara, we must close off the mountain. I will make that our priority."
Page 10
The mountain, once a source of temptation and fear, became a beacon of resilience. Alaric closed it off for good. He took care of his people and showed them kindness. And the kingdom of the Golden Mountain learned that the true gold lies not in the earth, but in the strength of the human heart to choose compassion over greed.
About this story
- Audience: kids (ages 6–12)
Questions and answers
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