The Leap-Frog
The Leap-Frog — an illustrated tales story. 10 illustrated pages, free to read on Wonder Tales.
Page 1
In a cozy bakery nestled in a sun-drenched Moroccan riad, lived Aïcha, the baker's daughter, and Omar, a curious wanderer. Aïcha's secret recipes, passed down through generations, were more than just desserts; they were keys to hidden doors, leading to forgotten stories. But a looming shadow, the miserly merchant Kasim, threatened to steal Aïcha's magical inheritance and plunge the riad into eternal darkness. Would Aïcha and Omar discover the true recipe for courage and save their home before greed consumed everything?
Page 2
Aïcha wiped flour from her hands. "Another day, another batch of kaab el ghzal," she sighed, arranging the crescent-shaped pastries. Omar entered, brushing dust from his worn tunic. "I found this hidden behind the oven," he said, holding out a tattered recipe card, the ink faded. "'The Leap-Frog'... it's not in your family's collection."
Page 3
"It looks ancient!" Aïcha exclaimed, taking the card. The recipe was written in a cryptic verse, with symbols instead of ingredients. "'Where gold reflects not light, and silence sings loudest...' what could it mean?" Omar tilted his head. "My grandmother used to say, 'The best mirror is an old friend,'" he mused. "Perhaps this recipe reveals a hidden part of the riad... or yourself."
Page 4
Aïcha spent days deciphering the recipe, but the symbols eluded her. One evening, Kasim entered, his oily smile stretching across his face. "Aïcha, my dear, I hear you've found something interesting," he purred, his gaze fixed on the card in her hand. "Perhaps, for a small price, I could offer my... expertise."
Page 5
"I appreciate your offer, Kasim," Aïcha said, forcing a smile. "But I prefer to solve my puzzles myself." Kasim chuckled, a chilling sound. "Such stubbornness," he said. "Remember, Aïcha, everything has a price. Even secrets."
Page 6
Days turned into sleepless nights. Aïcha, driven by worry, realized the recipe symbols matched patterns on the riad's ancient tiles. She whispered to Omar, "The first step leads to the heart of the library, where the recipes sleep." She crept into the library late one night, illuminated by moonlight. "The answer is in the question all along", she thought.
Page 7
The library was silent, save for the rustling of pages. Aïcha traced the tile patterns, her finger landing on a hidden switch. A bookcase swung open, revealing a dark passage. "'We are shaped by our thoughts; we become what we think,'" Aïcha said remembering Buddha. She turned to Omar, "Ready?"
Page 8
They navigated the passage, finding themselves in a forgotten courtyard. A stone leap-frog statue stood in the center, its eyes gleaming with hidden light. As Aïcha approached, the verse on the recipe card flashed in her mind: "Where gold reflects not light..." she placed a tarnished silver coin into the statue's mouth.
Page 9
The statue rumbled, and a hidden door in the courtyard wall slid open, revealing Aïcha's family's secret: a room filled with ancient recipe books, each containing a unique form of magic. Kasim burst into the courtyard, his face contorted with rage. "You can't hide from me!" he roared. Aicha held up a recipe. 'Kindness is the golden chain by which society is bound together,' she explained, remembering Goethe. The kindness recipe will save us.
Page 10
A wave of warmth spread through the riad, filling everyone with love. Kasim's greed vanished, replaced by remorse. He apologized, promising to use his wealth for good. The riad was safe, and Aïcha understood: the true magic wasn't in the recipes, but in the kindness they inspired. And the leap they took became the biggest step in their lives.
About this story
- Audience: kids (ages 6–12)
Questions and answers
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